Shifting democracy: Electoral changes in Fiji

Divergent Outcomes for Democracy From Recent Elections in Fiji and the Maldives: Analysing the 2018 Elections and Its Aftermath

“…During the second wave of the COVID-19 delta-variant outbreak in Fiji in 2021, opposition political leaders 21 were detained by police in July-August, for expressing concerns about the controversial iTaukei Land Trust Bill No. 17 under which lessees would no longer require approval from the iTaukei Land Trust Board for activities such as sub-leasing and mortgaging (Ratuva 2021). Despite widespread criticism of the bill and lack of consultation with landowners and the public, the bill was passed through parliament as a budget consequential bill in August.…”

“…Despite widespread criticism of the bill and lack of consultation with landowners and the public, the bill was passed through parliament as a budget consequential bill in August. These are examples of government's actions whereby "well-meaning actions and words by citizens are securitised and considered a threat" to justify harsh actions by the security forces (Ratuva 2021). Such actions by the government are authoritarian in nature, and do not resonate with democratic values of rule of law, consultation and freedom of expression.…”