The Multunational Observer Group says it has continued meetings with 2022 General Election stakeholders including government, election officials and political parties as it goes about its observation of various electoral activities in the lead up to election day proper on 14 December.
Since their establishment the MOG said that it has observed key electoral activities including the national candidates’ list ball draw, the commencement of ballot production, and the printing, transportation and storage of postal ballots.
“The MOG has also observed refresher training courses for Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers, reviewed the communications material produced by the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) and received comprehensive briefings from the FEO on electoral processes and preparations, including on their financial, logistical and technical aspects. Particular care has been taken in following the state of the National Voter Register and the development of voter lists for the specific polling stations,” the MOG said in an update.
The MOG has also met with the media, police, regional organisations, NGOs, civil society organisations, including religious groups and human rights groups, as well as representatives from the general public in Fiji.
On 20 and 21 November, MOG observers were deployed to accompany non-sensitive election materials to the Lau Islands ahead of pre-polling. Two days prior a team from the MOG Secretariat undertook a preparedness and logistics mission through the highlands and inland roads of Viti Levu.
The MOG Secretariat says it continues to support the accreditation process for observers from those countries and international organisations the Government of Fiji has invited to participate.
Preparations continue to deploy those observers across the country, including to a selection of the most remote islands and villages, to observe and evaluate pre-polling and polling day operations and events, it said.