Fiji's NFP proposes simpler Mixed Member Proportional voting system

The National Federation Party (NFP) in Fiji is advocating for a significant overhaul of the country's electoral system, proposing a shift to a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) model.

NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad argued that the current system, which requires voters to select candidate numbers, is confusing. He believes the MMP system would be far simpler and fairer. Under the proposal, voters would receive two ballot papers: one for constituencies, featuring candidate photos, and another for party lists. This approach, he suggested, would make the voting process more familiar and understandable for the public.

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The MMP system definitely would be a much better system, much simpler system because voters will have two ballot papers. One would be for the constituencies where they can have the photo, they can know the constituency like what we used to have before.

The NFP's plan outlines a 70-member Parliament, comprising 25 Members of Parliament elected from constituencies and 45 elected from party lists through proportional representation. A 5% threshold is recommended for party list representation. Professor Prasad indicated that this system could also enhance the representation of women, young people, and minority groups within Parliament, though he acknowledged that a transition period would be necessary.

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We are recommending 25 constituencies and 45 list members. List members will come from the proportionality of the votes that a party gets and we’re saying that the threshold should be just 5% as it is. So yes, the MMP voting system ballot paper will be easier and people would become much more familiar but we also need time to make the transition.