The Fijian Elections Office has started destroying sensitive materials from the 2022 elections, including ballot papers, in compliance with legal provisions.
Launched at the FEO Warehouse in Laucala Beach today, the process of discarding materials stored in 2,066 ballot boxes will run for five weeks, during which materials will either be recycled or incinerated.
Under Fiji’s electoral laws, the FEO is required to securely dispose of materials six months after the release of election results. However, the FEO had to prolong the storage of these materials pending an investigation into the 2022 election “glitch.” The government, at a recent Cabinet meeting, decided not to pursue the investigation and instead strengthen systems aimed at preventing similar issues in the future, paving the way for today’s process.
Representatives from some registered political parties were present to observe the process.
Once completed, the FEO can begin purchasing materials for the 2026 elections, Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said.
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