Prasad backs municipal election deferment

The decision by the Coalition Government to defer the long-awaited municipal elections until after the next general election has been met with reasoned support from prominent figures like former Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad. This move, while perhaps disappointing to those eager for local democratic processes, is a pragmatic response to the complex realities facing Fiji. The global crisis, exacerbated by international conflicts, presents significant economic challenges that demand careful resource management.

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the decision to postpone the long-awaited municipal elections until after the next general election is a sensible move, given the global crisis and concerns surrounding ward boundaries and election readiness.

Professor Prasad rightly points out that Fiji has not held municipal elections since 2005, and significant issues regarding ward boundaries and voter demographics remain unresolved. Pushing forward with an election under these circumstances would be fiscally irresponsible and potentially lead to flawed outcomes. The allocation of an estimated $15 to $18 million, earmarked for these elections, can be far better utilized to support vulnerable citizens during these trying economic times. This is not a matter of lacking funds, but of prioritizing national needs.

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some people who are not even in Parliament are making “useless comments” about the Coalition Government’s budgets and financial management despite what he described as the economic destruction and debt left behind over the past 15 to 16 years.

Critics, particularly from opposition parties, may attempt to politicize this deferment, but the underlying reasons are sound. The government must focus on navigating the global economic pressures and ensuring that when municipal elections are eventually held, they are conducted properly, with clear boundaries and fair representation. The National Federation Party, a key member of the Coalition, has itself raised concerns about these very issues, underscoring the need for thorough preparation. This deferment allows for such necessary groundwork, ensuring a more robust democratic process in the future.

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We can use some of that funding that was earmarked for this election to look after our people and where we need to target the support for the most vulnerable.