Fiji

Population Statistics

909,389

Total Population

136,408

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

07 June 2017

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (2013)

Updated: June 2015

Section 23, Subsection (3) states:

Every citizen who has reached the age of 18 years has the right—

  • (a) to be registered as a voter;
  • (b) to vote by secret ballot in any election or referendum under this Constitution…

 

Section 26 states:

(3) A person must not be unfairly discriminated against, directly or indirectly on the grounds of his or her—

  • (a) actual or supposed personal characteristics or circumstances, including race, culture, ethnic or social origin, colour, place of origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, birth, primary language, economic or social or health status, disability, age, religion, conscience, marital status or pregnancy…

(5) Every person has the right of access, membership or admission, without discrimination on a prohibited ground, to shops, hotels, lodging-houses, public restaurants, places of public entertainment, clubs, education institutions, public transportation services, taxis and public places.

(6) The proprietor of a place or service referred to in subsection (5) must facilitate reasonable access for persons with disabilities to the extent prescribed by law.

 

Section 42 states:

(1) A person with any disability has the right—

  • (a) to reasonable access to all places, public transport and information;
  • (b) to use sign language, Braille or other appropriate means of communication; and
  • (c) to reasonable access to necessary materials, substances and devices relating to the person’s disability.

(2) A person with any disability has the right to reasonable adaptation of buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, working arrangements, rules, practices or procedures, to enable their full participation in society and the effective realisation of their rights…

 

Section 55, Subsection (1) states:

Every citizen who is or will be the age of 18 years and over on or before the date of the issue of the writ for the next election of members to Parliament, has the right to be registered as a voter, in the manner and form prescribed by a written law governing elections or registration of voters.

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (2013)

Electoral (Registration of Voters) Decree (2012)

Updated: August 2018

Section 3, subsection (1) states:

A person who-

  • (a) has reached the age of eighteen (18) years; and
  • (b) is a citizen of Fiji, shall have the right to be registered as a voter.

 

Excerpts from the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Decree (2012)

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2018)

Updated: August 2018

Section 47 states:

All persons with disabilities have the right to effectively and fully participate in political and public life on an equal basis with others, directly or through the assistance of a representative, and the right and opportunity for persons with disabilities to vote and be elected