The Fijian Elections Office will be setting up 589 pre-poll stations for the upcoming General Election.

Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem says the FEO has trained and equipped 92 teams.

Saneem says pre-polling is simply another mode of election before the major election.

The SOE is urging voters to register now before the Writ of the Election is issued.

“The FEO through its awareness campaign has visited all the pre-polling areas around the country and explained to the attendees of the sessions the importance of turning up to vote on the date and time allocated. We have also informed them that, that is the only opportunity for them to vote – there is no second chance. Pre-polling is also an election. So it cannot be considered as trial run or a demonstration. If you are listed for pre-polling you have to vote at your polling station as that will be your only opportunity – you can only vote once this election.”

Saneem says voters need to understand that if they vote through pre-poll they will not be able to vote again on Election Day.

“If anybody who has they names listed under pre-poll station and they do not vote on that pre-poll station on that day and time allocated – they will not be able to vote afterwards. The pre-poll schedules will be published once the Writ for the Election is issued.”

The SOE also clarifies that the areas identified for pre-polling will not have physical voting station on Election Day.

Hence, those registered for pre-poll need to cast their votes or they will miss out on the opportunity to vote this year.

The FEO will conduct pre-polling a week before the General Election.