Fijian polling stations quieten down after morning rush

Photo / Lincoln Tan

Polling stations around Suva have quietened down after a morning rush to vote in the Fiji elections.

Fiji Prime Minister Voreque Bainimarama was among those who chose to go to the polls early.

About 520,000 people are expected to cast their votes today at 1460 polling stations across Fiji, according to the Fijian Elections Office.

About 400 of the 500 voters expected at the Vatuwaqa Primary School in Suva, where Mr Bainimarama went, had already voted.

"There was a long queue in the morning, but it has all quietened down by late morning," said Sgt George Tavuna, a police officer assigned to the station.

The election is the first in Fiji since a 2006 military coup led by Mr Bainimarama.

Police Commissioner Ben Groenwald said police had received no complaints so far during the polling.

"Nothing has been reported since the opening of polling stations this morning," he said.

"It's fairly quiet and we are very much satisfied."

Polling stations will close at 6pm, and the focus will shift to the FMF Gymnasium in Laucala Bay, near the ANZ Stadium where the counting will be screened.