The Acting Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, and Minister responsible for Elections, Hon. Siromi Turaga, officially received the final report from the Commissioners for the Electoral Legislation Review yesterday (8.07.25).
The Commissioners were appointed on the 17th March, 2025. Under the Chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Daniel Fatiaki, the PT Commissioners completed an extensive public consultation exercise, listening to the people and documenting their views, hopes, and dreams of an electoral system and process that is for the people and from the people.
The handover of the Final Report titled: Fiji Law Reform Commission Electoral Law Review 2025: An Electoral System FOR the People FROM the People, signifies a major milestone toward electoral reform and democratic enhancement.
The PT Commission work, supported by the Ministry of Justice, Electoral Commission, Ministry of Women, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Ministry of Information, and the Fijian Elections Office, conducted an extensive four-month national consultation spanning all four divisions and Rotuma.
The Review featured simulations with political parties, outreach in places of worship, villages, and universities, and materials translated into Vosa Vakaviti, Hindi and Rotuman—demonstrating Fiji’s commitment to inclusive policymaking.
In his remarks, the Acting A-G praised the collaborative effort of the Review Team, Ministry staff, and stakeholders, emphasising that the report marks the end of one phase and the start of the next phase of the reform.
“As the Minister responsible for Elections, and as the current Acting Attorney-General, I reassure the public that the Coalition Government is committed to the Rule of Law, to the processes inherent therein to ensure that the principles of democracy, justice, fairness, and integrity are maintained. The work done by the commissioners has been comprehensive; it has been no easy feat, and we will remain committed to meeting the deadlines set by Cabinet and ensuring that the change that our people demanded is delivered on.”
Minister Turaga also used the opportunity to highlight the “need to stay on course; there will be some people out there who will criticise us. Let us be steadfast; let us be reminded that as long as we work within the law and work for our people and the change they asked for, we are on the right path.”
The next phase of the review process will include a careful analysis of the recommendations in the Report within the government machinery, the drafting of the Regulations and Rules and the parliamentary process that will follow.