North records slight improvement in voter turnout
Voter turnout in the Northern Division recorded an increase of 5149 in the 2022 General Election with a percentage increase of 0.73 compared to the 2018 election.
In the final official results released by the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) on Sunday, 72,904 northerners cast their votes across polling stations in the division.
Four years ago, 67,755 voted in the election.
There were 98,674 people who were registered for this election while 92, 625 were registered from the division in the 2018 election.
Tui Labasa, Ratu Jone Qomate, said it was encouraging to note the positive increase and the voting period allowed the people in the division to share their opinions.
“I am glad people in the North have taken interest, but more can be done to increase this count,” Ratu Jone said.
He called on political parties and candidates wishing to stand in elections to improve their presence and interactions at community and with individuals to ensure more people are encouraged to vote.
“We have young people from the 18-40 years age group who need these candidates and parties to explain to them their policies at community level for better understanding,” Ratu Jone said.
He also said reasonable awareness should be created prior to elections to allow young voters to gauge which party to vote.
“If this is not done by the next election, then our youth population will continue to take voting lightly.”
Ratu Jone highlighted his concern at how non-voters expressed their opinions on social media platforms.
“Non-voters should firstly consider voting on Election Day and contribute in supporting the national democracy and not to be lazy and only post their views on social media,” he said.
Sau ni vanua ko Qoibau, Ratu Manoa Tuiwainikai, said the turnout could have been more as those uncasted votes would have made a huge difference in forming an outright winner.
Ratu Manoa said voters who cast their votes would be in a position where their votes would decide the next government and the fate of those uncasted. He said they shared prayers of peace and stability for the nation during their Sunday church service.
“People have voted, but, now our leaders must decide and set their differences aside and form a coalition to move the nation forward,” he said.
Tui Nadogo Ratu Ilisanita Malodali, said the turnout was satisfactory considering the low numbers in 2018.
Ratu Malodali understood they would have been factors that contributed to some voters not being able to vote on polling day.
“We are happy with the election process as voting was easy and fast to do compared to previous years,” he added.