Fijian Elections Office – Operational Planning

BRIDGE returns to the Fijian Elections Office – Operational Planning

On 29 November, 2023, BRIDGE returned to Suva, Fiji for a customised, 3-day workshop focused on Operational Planning for staff of the Fijian Elections Office (FEO). The workshop was attended by staff from across the FEO. The aim of the workshop was to equip the FEO with the tools necessary to develop a new template for its future operational projects, including operationalising its Strategic Plan and developing operational plans for next year’s Local Government elections and for the 2026 National elections.

The participants explored such issues as the main principles of electoral operational plans, their main components and core tasks. They looked at risk management strategies, budget, timelines and allocating responsibilities. The workshop concluded with the participants developing draft templates which will be shared with the FEO committee charged with producing the new Operational Planning Template. The workshop was lively and the participants were extremely hard working. Comments from the group included:

“A very eye opening three days”,

“We learned so much in such a short period of time”, and

“It was so good to work with colleagues I rarely get a chance to speak to in the office”.

The workshop was organised by both the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) International Engagement section and the FEO. The workshop was facilitated by the AEC’s Ross Attrill and the FEO’s Rachel Simmons. They were also joined by TTF Complete facilitators, Ravneel Chand from the FEO and an AEC facilitator. Both performed superbly and they have now progressed to Workshop Facilitator accreditation. I’m sure they will both have long and productive BRIDGE careers. Congratulations to them both.

As part of the Pacific Island, Australia and New Zealand Electoral Administrator’s Network’s (PIANZEA) efforts to build BRIDGE capacity in the region, Fetogi Vaai, Election Commissioner from Samoa and TTF complete facilitator joined the team to experience being a participant in a BRIDGE module and engage in preparation and evaluation sessions. Her presence was well received by the participants and her contributions to discussion were invaluable. 

In short, the workshop was a great success, and it is hoped that it will help the FEO in building their already substantial capacity in Operational Planning.