Fiji will hold a national election on Wednesday 14 December, the third since its leader Josaia Voreqe “Frank” Bainimarama came to power in a coup he instigated in 2006.
The poll will mark the country’s third democratic elections under the constitution that was implemented in 2013.
What is happening?
Bainimarama is seeking to extend his prime ministership by another four years. However, Fijian opposition parties believe they are in with a chance to topple the ruling FijiFirst party for the first time in nearly 16 years.
Voters will cast their ballots on Wednesday but a strict media blackout that came into effect on Monday has ended the election campaign.
Political parties have had to take down banners, signs and social media posts related to the election, while media companies can no longer display any campaign material.
Supporters cannot even wear the logo or colours of any political party. Breaking the electoral restriction can result in a maximum fine of Fiji $50,000 ($22,700) and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Officials say the strict blackout is to give Fijians a reprieve and time to decide who to vote for ahead of Wednesday’s poll.
Could we see a change of power and will that happen peacefully?
Bainimarama’s main rival is former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, the leader of Fiji’s first coup in 1987 and current head of the People’s Alliance party.
Rabuka first went up against Bainimarama in the last elections, in 2018, and lost. His prospects are thought to be better this time round, according to polling.
The dominance of FijiFirst in parliament has left little space for opposition forces to assert themselves politically and Bainimarama has, in the past, stated that he would not allow the opposition parties to assume office in the event that FijiFirst was defeated.
Several prominent Fijian political leaders are former military commanders and according to Freedom House, a democracy watchdog group, the military has a history of interference in Fijian politics.
Fiji’s military chief, Maj Gen Ro Jone Kalouniwai, told officers in a public speech this month to “honour the democratic process by respecting the outcome of the voting”, easing fears the closely contested national election could lead to another coup.
A multinational observer group led by Australia, India and Indonesia will have about 90 election observers to monitor polling booths and the national vote counting centre.
Today, Fiji is classified by Freedom House as “partly free”. The thinktank said: “The repressive climate that followed a 2006 coup has eased since democratic elections were held in 2014 and 2018.”
Why does Fiji matter in the Pacific?
The Pacific island nation is a trade and transport hub that has become pivotal in the region’s response to strategic competition between China and the United States.
With China’s renewed ambitions in the region, world powers are now jostling for influence and refocusing on the Pacific.
Fiji hosted a meeting between US secretary of state Antony Blinken and the Pacific leaders in February, where Washington committed more diplomatic and security resources as a counter to China’s drive for greater influence.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, China had been a significant donor of equipment to Fiji’s military and pursued a sweeping regional economic and security deal that would have dramatically expanded Beijing’s influence and reach, but was rejected by Pacific leaders.
Australia has since sought to reset its relationship with Fiji and Pacific island nations, pledging to be the partner of choice for the region.
Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, earlier this year conceded that under past governments Australia had “neglected its responsibility to act on climate”. From Vanuatu on Monday, Wong promised to continue to engage with the region on climate change, the single biggest risk to the “the livelihoods, the security and the wellbeing of peoples of the Pacific”.
Australia recently launched a joint bid with Pacific nations to host the UN climate summit in 2026. It has also supported Fiji’s army, building a base to support its export of peacekeeping forces while remaining Fiji’s biggest aid donor throughout the Covid pandemic.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
