Director Corporate Services, Mr Sanjeshwar Ram;
the Queen contestants of the Vodafone Nasinu Festival;
fellow members of the FEO;
Ni sa Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
It is my pleasure to be here with you all today as we come together to celebrate two important occasions: your journey as ambassadors of your respective advocacies and our nation’s 56th anniversary of independence.
At the outset, please allow me to convey the warm greetings and best wishes of our Supervisor of Elections, Ms Ana Mataiciwa, who unfortunately is unable to join us this afternoon due to official travel commitments.
While she would have welcomed the opportunity to be here with you, she extends her sincere appreciation to the Vodafone Nasinu Festival Queen contestants for visiting the Fijian Elections Office, particularly as we come together to celebrate Fiji Day.
It is therefore my pleasure, on her behalf and on behalf of the entire FEO family, to warmly welcome you all to our office today.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Tomorrow, Fiji celebrates 56 years of independence. Fiji Day reminds us of the importance of unity, diversity, and our shared responsibility to build a better nation. And today, we have before us young women who are doing exactly that.
To our Queen contestants, your participation in this Festival goes beyond beauty and the crown. It is about having a voice, standing for a cause, and making a difference.
Whether your advocacy focuses on education, women’s empowerment, health, the environment, youth development, or other social issues, each of you is contributing to a stronger Fiji.
This connects closely with the work we do at the Fijian Elections Office.
Our message, Your Election, Your Say, reminds every eligible Fijian of the importance of being informed, understanding their electoral rights, and participating responsibly in democratic processes.
As we continue our Your Election, Your Say Outreach – Phase 2, our teams are reaching communities across Fiji and abroad, providing voter registration services and conducting voter awareness sessions.
We are also preparing for the National Referendum 2026 scheduled for 09 December, 2026. And this is where your voices matter.
As young advocates, you have the opportunity to encourage your communities, particularly young people, to seek accurate information, ask questions, and understand the importance of participating in our democracy.
You do not need to tell anyone how to vote. Simply encouraging people to be informed and responsible is already a meaningful contribution.
As we celebrate Fiji Day, I encourage you to remember that leadership is not defined by a crown, but by the positive difference you make in the lives of others.
Whether you win the crown or not, your advocacy and your voice will continue to matter.
On behalf of the Supervisor of Elections and the entire FEO family, thank you for visiting us today.
We wish you all the very best in your Festival journey. Continue to inspire, continue to advocate, and continue to be positive voices for Fiji.
Happy 56th Fiji Day.
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.
