Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar says scrapping the election mobile app is a major step backwards for Fiji, especially when the nation has branded itself as a leader in digital innovation under the Digital Fiji vision.
She made the comments after the Fijian Elections Office announced the app will not be used in the next elections.
She said the app played a key role in strengthening democracy and public trust by providing real-time updates and official results directly to voters.
“Nowadays, going digital isn’t just about making life easier — it’s about connecting people, being transparent, and making our democracy stronger,” she said.
Ms Kumar said Fijians had come to expect quick and credible information through digital platforms.
“The election app gave voters a quick and easy way to get election results, helping build trust by cutting out the long waits and uncertainties of traditional result announcements,” she said.
She added that if there were glitches in the app, the solution should have been improvement — not removal.
“If the app had glitches, the answer shouldn’t have been to scrap it altogether. Fixing those issues quickly would have shown we’re willing to grow and embrace technology that makes our government work better for everyone,” she said.
According to Ms Kumar, the app also helped curb misinformation by providing official updates straight from the source.
“Plus, the app helped stop misinformation by giving official updates straight to voters in real-time. That’s a huge deal when it comes to keeping our elections fair and honest,” she said.
She said removing the app risked damaging public confidence in the electoral process and went against global trends in digital governance.
“In a world where transparency and trust matter more than ever, keeping and improving the app fits perfectly with Fiji’s promise to be open, accountable, and modern,” Ms Kumar said.
“Turning it off risks losing public trust and falls behind the global shift towards digital tools that empower citizens and democracy.”
