Members of Civil Society and Faith based Organisations; and
Members of my FEO family.
Ara na yadra, and a Victorious Morning to you all.
I would like to warmly welcome all representatives from our Civil Society Organisations and Faith-Based Organisations joining us here today.
As you are aware, the Campaign Period for the upcoming General Election commenced on 25 May 2026.
Following the commencement of the Campaign Period, and the publication of the list of public places approved for placing campaign materials, the Fijian Elections Office is conducting a series of Campaign Restrictions Workshops for key electoral stakeholders, including the media, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders.
Today’s session is specifically focused on you, our Civil Society and Faith-Based Organisations.
Civil Society and Faith-Based Organisations play an important role in our communities. You work directly with Fijians from all walks of life, and many people rely on your organisations as trusted sources of information, support, and guidance.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide clarity on the legal provisions that guide your engagement during the Campaign Period. We will take you through the relevant requirements under the electoral laws, including what is permitted and what is restricted during this period.
You will also be provided with an overview of restrictions applicable to other electoral stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, and the media, to assist you in understanding the broader campaign environment.
I wish to emphasise that this workshop is purely informative. It is intended to ensure that organisations engaging with communities understand the electoral framework and the laws relating to campaigning.
As organisations that interact closely with voters, it is important that the information shared within communities is accurate, impartial, and aligned with the electoral laws.
If your organisation is unsure about any election-related matter or requires clarification on activities conducted during the Campaign Period, please reach out to the Fijian Elections Office. Our team is available to provide clarification and guidance.
During this period, I encourage you to verify information, seek clarification where needed, and avoid sharing information based on assumptions. Accurate information supports voter confidence and contributes towards an informed electoral environment.
As we proceed with today’s workshop, I encourage you all to actively participate, ask questions, and provide feedback on how we can continue working together to support Fijians during this Campaign Period.
With those few words, I now declare the Civil Society and Faith-Based Organisations Workshop on Campaign Restrictions open.
I wish you all a productive and informative workshop.
Vinaka vakalevu.
