The Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu,
The Representative from the UNDP Pacific Office Ms Asenaca Kolinivala,
The Training facilitator from the New Zealand Electoral Commission Ms Sarah Kedzlie,
The Training facilitator from the UNDP Pacific Office Ms Scarlet Fairweather,
Senior Officers and members of the Fiji Police Force,
and, My FEO Family.
Ara Na Yadra, and A Victorious Morning to you all.
At the outset, thank you Commissioner Tudravu, for your opening remarks that indeed sets the tone of this training, I am delighted to also deliver remarks this morning as we commence this important training.
The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) acknowledges with deep appreciation the role of the Fiji Police Force in safeguarding the integrity of our electoral processes. Free, fair, and credible elections cannot be delivered without the neutrality and professionalism of the Police. Your presence in our processes ensures that voters have the confidence to participate in an environment that is safe, secure, and conducive to the democratic process.
The idea for this specialised training arose out of the 2022 General Election review, conducted in February 2023 with key personnel from the Force. That review identified the need to strengthen the capacity and knowledge of police officers, so that they fully understand the principles of elections and their core responsibility, which is to support the FEO in ensuring that elections are conducted according to law and in an environment of peace and order.
This need was presented to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Elections Security Advisory Group (ESAG). As a result of this collaboration, a Police Guide has been developed to provide clear and practical information on the principles of elections, the conduct of elections in Fiji, and the specific role of the Police. The Guide will continue to be updated once the new electoral laws are finalised, ensuring that officers always have an up-to-date reference point.
This five-day Training of Trainers workshop is a crucial part of that process. By the end of the programme, Police trainers will be expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of their role on Election Day, to apply adult learning methodologies effectively, and to deliver structured and consistent training to frontline officers using the official FEO materials. This is an important responsibility, because the way you train your colleagues will directly shape the conduct of officers across the Force during elections.
Commissioner Tudravu, I wish to commend the Fiji Police Force for its commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and integrity. These values are not only central to your service as law enforcement officers, but they also inspire trust within communities and strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
On behalf of the FEO, I extend sincere gratitude to the UNDP their support in making this initiative possible, and to our partners from the New Zealand Electoral Commission for sharing their expertise.
As the Supervisor of Elections, I request you Police trainers to approach this responsibility with seriousness, dedication, and pride. Your duty goes beyond enforcing the law. It is about protecting democracy itself. Together, through our collaboration, we can ensure that the people of Fiji continue to enjoy elections that are free, fair, and credible.
With those words, I wish you all a productive and successful training.
Vinaka Vakalevu.
