Fijian Elections Office conducts mock exercise on packaging of ballot boxes

The Fijian Elections Office today conducted a mock exercise on the packing of sensitive materials in the presence of the media and political party agents.

Some of the sensitive materials include a tracking form, labels, ballot box seals, voter list, secret envelope for pre-polls and ballot paper books.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem guided party agents, some polling officials and the media through the packing process of pre‑poll and election day containers.

Party Polling Agents from FijiFirst, SODELPA, National Federation Party, Fiji Labour Party, People’s Democratic Party, HOPE and Unity Fiji were also present during the mock exercise.

The mock demonstration included the party agents standing in designated areas observing the packing of ballot boxes and counting material.

Saneem also explained to political party agents the security mechanisms being used in the packing procedure as well as some of the security protocols for the ballot box.

The Supervisor of Elections says that the Fijian Elections Office will begin packing pre-poll materials straight after the ballot paper printing in complete adding that there will be a total of 2,000 ballot boxes.

While the Fijians Elections Office officials were demonstrating the ballot box packing procedures, Saneem highlighted that contents that would be included in the pre-poll and election day ballot boxes.

Saneem adds that the Fijian Elections Office has a thorough and secure mechanism tracking ballot boxes and they are confident that with this mechanism the ballot boxes will be fully reconcilable and present for verification.