FEO admits error over mock election release

The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) has admitted to an internal process failure following the accidental public circulation of a mock press release announcing the 2026 General Election. The FEO stated that the erroneous release was generated as part of a rehearsal for the 'Writ to Return of Writ Dress Rehearsal.' This exercise is a standard procedure conducted in preparation for upcoming general elections, designed to test and validate the operational readiness and protocols of the electoral body. The office emphasized that the release was not an official announcement but an internal test document. Despite the mistake, the FEO maintains that the rehearsal itself was valuable in identifying areas for improvement in their election preparedness. The incident underscores the importance of stringent internal controls within electoral bodies to prevent premature or incorrect information from reaching the public, especially concerning sensitive matters like election timelines.