Fiji’s Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem urged aspiring field trainers to follow processes and trainings to the ‘T’ to avoid fuelling or adding on to misinformation about the elections.
Launching the training of trainers workshop for more than 20 field trainers at the Fijian Elections Office in Suva today, Saneem expressed concerns over “elements that continue to spread misinformation about elections” urging trainees to ensure that any training that they do are based on manuals and training that they have received.
“Do not change any process simply because there is a social media post questioning it,” Saneem told attendees, “These processes have been thought through for the last if not four, you should say eight years. We have run through elections with these processes. Both elections have been declared free and fair and credible. Use that as the basis of your justification. At the end of the day, you are not expected to argue for the process. You are simply there to train people on that process.”
The group are among 83 people who are being trained this week during different sessions that are also being held in the western and northern divisions.
Upon completing the training and having become certified trainers, these participants will get to train all the people who will work as election officials in the next general election – whether it be in counting, in the results centre, work in pre-poll areas or logistics or any other aspect of the conduct of the 2022 general elections.
Unlike preparations for the previous two elections, this time around trainees will be using the FEO’s online learning platform E-Vuli to supplement their trainings. Saneem said the FEO team will progressively develop new resources which trainees will able to access on the platform for continuous learning.
He also reminded trainees on what is expected of them as FEO workers to ensure that the trust that thousands of Fijians place on the local election body is maintained at the highest level.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the 2018 General Election was one of the most successful elections in Fiji’s history. I’m confident that we will achieve better in the next general election. And it is our job, yours and mine, to ensure that Fijians get the best service and the best processes involved in conducting elections. Give it your 100 per cent.”
