What Pre-Poll Voters in Remote Kadavu Said
Voting was simple, said Eperoni Selimanabure. Mr Selimanabure cast his vote at the pre-poll venue in Daku Village in Kadavu yesterday.
He is among the 77,907 qualified to vote in the five-day long pre-poll period this week.
He was with more than 50 villagers who showed up at the venue to make their vote count for the 2022 General Election.
Mr Selimanabure reckoned that there was nothing new in the process because the Fijian Elections Office team and stakeholders made it easy for his generation to cast their vote.
He strongly stated that voting was the only solution for them to exercise their rights.
“Voters need to be wise,” he said. “Voting is not only their right but also participation in elections gives mileage to our developing democracy,” Mr Selimanabure said.
Also casting his vote was youngest registered voter in the area, 22-year-old Usaia Matakada.
He reiterated the stance of politicians and others who said youth participation was a vital component for any developing democracy.
“The youth play an important role in our society,” Mr Matakada said.
“Their participation in electoral process gives a boost to the democratic country that we all live in.
“I’m proud to have participated in this election.
“I strongly believe that people must always participate in elections because when the election results are out it leaves them no room to complain.”
The village head man, Sailasa
Raivakadula, said 57 villagers were expected to cast their vote.
Daku Village is located remotelyand accessibility to the village is mainly by sea.
Roads to villages in these outer islands are sometimes difficult mainly due to over grown grass and other road condition issues.
The voting time for the village was between 9am and 11am.
Mr Raivakadula praised the elections team for their assistance.
“It’s really good what they have done here, they have brought the service right to our doorsteps,” he said.
“We don’t have to travel elsewhere to cast our vote.
“As you travel from here, you will notice how this place is really out at sea.”
Daku Village is so remote that traveling time from the Vunisea Government station takes about 45 minutes.