Democratic deficit: the Electoral System under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution

Fiji has introduced four constitutions since independence in 1970. Each Constitution offered the opportunity to establish an electoral system that complies with established democratic principles and meets the particular needs of Fiji. This article engages with the shortcomings of the electoral process under the current Constitution of the Republic of Fiji 2013 (Fiji). Questions regarding the electoral system are raised, such as whether the D’Hondt/Jefferson model is the right choice for a multi-party jurisdiction; whether the electoral bodies are sufficiently independent to conduct free and fair elections; and whether the judiciary has sufficient capacity to resolve electoral grievances. The article concludes that the Constitution 2013 does not provide adequate checks and balances for free and fair elections, and electoral bodies hamper the implementation of democratic principles