550,220 voters eligible to vote today at 854 polling venues across the country

550,220 voters are eligible to vote as voting has started in the last hour in 854 polling venues across the country.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem says they are ready for polling in 1,503 polling stations in Fiji.

Despite the bad weather, Saneem is urging registered Fijians to cast their vote as this chance will only come in another 4 years.

He has also challenged voters to beat the benchmark set in the 2014 General Elections.

More than 11,000 election officials are working today and Saneem has stressed to them that every voter is important.

He has also assured election officials of their security and has also asked political parties to follow the right procedures if they have any grievances.

Saneem says the counting process may take up to three days.  

Voters can find out their polling venue by sending their voter identification number via text to 1500 or call the toll free number 1500.

The texting platform will be active until 6pm today.

Polling starts at 7.30am today and will finish at 6pm.

Meanwhile, pre-poll has concluded and the voter percentage turnout was 64 percent.

The Fijian Elections Office has also received so far 7,793 postal ballot papers and verification for majority of them has been done.