The Fijian Elections Office's newest voter registration centre opened today in downtown Suva, offering a convenient location where Fijians can register before or after work, as well as during their lunch breaks or on the weekend.
The permanent registration centre is located in the Government Service Centre in the Old Fiji Visitors Bureau, opposite Jacks Handicrafts, and will be open Monday to Thursday 8.00am to 4.30pm, Friday 8.00am to 4.00pm, and Saturday 8.00am to 1.00pm.
The Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Chen Bunn Young, said that the Elections Office was focusing on providing as many locations as possible around the country where Fijians can register to vote.
"The Commission is determined to pick up the pace of opening registration centres in convenient locations across Fiji," he said.
"Last week, we opened a location in Nadi International Airport, this week it's this centre in downtown Suva, and we expect to have at least one more location up and running by the end of next week," he said.
Mr. Young said that the purpose of these registration centres was to offer those Fijians who have not yet registered to vote the opportunity to do so on their own time.
"We are particularly encouraging young Fijians to come forward as they turn 18 and become eligible to register," he said.
Mr. Young said that at present approximately 85% of eligible voters are registered, which is an extremely impressive figure and represents the largest number of registered voters in Fiji's history.
"But of course, we want to keep pushing to register as many eligible voters as possible before the election writs are issued, and these registration centres are are an important part of our efforts. Fijians can expect to see more centres open around Fiji in the near future, " he said.
Mr. Young also reminded registered voters that they can check or change their voter details in the National Register of Voters as well as replace lost voter cards at any of the registration centres currently open.
In addition to the location in Suva, registration centres are open in Nausori, Lautoka, Labasa, Rakiraki and Nadi.
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