Acting Director of Operations Ms Litia Sema;
Divisional Managers;
Operations and Corporate Coordinators;
Facilitators; and
The 23 Area Officers from the four (4) divisions.
Ara na Yadra and a Victorious morning to you all,
Firstly, I would like to sincerely thank each of you for your commitment and your willingness to serve the people of Fiji during the upcoming 2026–2027 General Election.
This training marks a significant milestone in our preparation journey. As you are aware, a General Election is one of the most important national undertakings, and its success depends on strong planning, disciplined execution, and most importantly, capable and well-trained personnel. That is why your role as Area Officers is so critical. You are central to ensuring that election operations are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in full compliance with the law.
One of the greatest strengths of this programme is that it brings together Area Officers from all four divisions into one learning environment. This is a valuable opportunity for you to exchange experiences, learn from one another’s challenges and successes, build strong working relationships, and develop a unified understanding of processes and operational standards across the country.
The primary objective of this training is clear—to ensure the effective delivery of the 2026–2027 General Election while strengthening the management of FEO services across all four divisions. Over the coming days, you will build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills required to carry out your responsibilities before, during, and after polling day.
This programme has been carefully designed to strengthen your administrative and operational capabilities. You will develop skills in managing election materials with accountability, planning and coordinating election activities, supporting polling operations, managing Area Offices efficiently, working with stakeholders and election officials, responding professionally to challenges, and upholding security, integrity, and transparency in every aspect of the election process.
Area Officers, you are the operational leaders in your assigned areas. You are the vital link between the Divisional Offices and polling venues. Your leadership will ensure that venues are prepared, materials are distributed and returned on time, staff are effectively supervised, and reporting is accurate. More importantly, your actions will help maintain public confidence in the electoral process. Every task you complete contributes to delivering a credible and transparent election.
I encourage you to approach this training with discipline and purpose. Be punctual, stay engaged, and participate actively. Ask questions, seek clarification, and share your experiences. Learn from one another and work together as one team. Most importantly, take ownership of your learning, because what you gain here will directly shape your performance in the field. This is not just a training programme—it is preparation for real responsibilities.
The Fijian Elections Office stands firmly on the values of professionalism, accountability, integrity, impartiality, and service excellence. As Area Officers, you represent these values in your respective communities. The knowledge and skills you gain here will directly contribute to delivering elections that the people of Fiji can trust.
Over the next few days, challenge yourselves, collaborate openly, and prepare for the responsibilities ahead. Make the most of this opportunity to learn from your facilitators and from each other. Together, we are building a capable and professional team that will deliver a successful General Election.
I wish you all a productive, engaging, and successful training.
Thank you, and I officially welcome you to the Area Officer Training.
