Atrocious Weather Delaying Fiji Voting

UPDATE. Provisional votes from a a quarter of the polling stations indicate a close race between the two major parties, and the possibility of a SODELPA-NFP coalition. As at 11pm FijiFirst was still winning.

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Fiji should have known the results of the election later tonight if there was a clear winner, or had some indication of polling  results if there were not.  Atrocious weather has changed all that.  Results will now not be known for at least another 24 hours. 


At the time of this posting. seven people have been rescued from the sea on the way to vote. Polling has closed except at 28 inaccessible venues where voting has been adjourned.  Turnout generally has been low. The "blackout" period which should have finished at 6pm tonight has been extended to allow those where voting has been adjourned to vote.  

Meanwhile, optimistic SODELPA and NFP leaders have met to discuss a Coalition government.  

The Police Commissioner said he is "well aware of rumours circulating of rogue groups working towards disrupting the voting process on Election Day and the post-election period if results are not favourable ... All Fijians should rest assured that we are working with, and have the full support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and are closely monitoring the security landscape, and their officers are ready to be deployed at any time to assist us if there is information of unrest that could impact the Election process.” (FijiLive)

And NZTV and Dr Jonathon Fraenkel add to the fuel.


Provisional votes indicate a close race between the two major parties.

--ACW