The Centre for Democracy & Dialogue (CDD) has successfully concluded its Election Candidate Preparatory Training – Phase II, conducted across Fiji’s Central, Northern and Western Divisions under the Empowering Fiji’s Women in Politics Project funded by Misereor.
The training brought together aspiring and prospective women and youth election candidates, including representatives from different political parties, to strengthen their knowledge, confidence and practical skills in preparing for electoral participation.
The programme commenced with a two-day training in Suva on 13–14 October 2026, followed by divisional trainings in Labasa on 19 October and Nadi on 21 October 2026. Through these sessions, CDD sought to equip prospective candidates with a better understanding of Fiji’s electoral framework and the practical requirements of preparing for an election campaign.
The Labasa and Nadi trainings focused on recent changes to Fiji’s electoral laws, including candidate eligibility, nomination requirements, campaign regulations, political financing and electoral compliance. Participants were also guided through practical sessions on campaign budgeting, strategy development and effective political messaging.
A key component of the training was the introduction of CDD’s EFWIP Candidate Hub, an online resource providing prospective candidates with electoral information and interactive campaign-planning tools. Participants were introduced to the Campaign Budget Builder, Campaign Strategy Builder and Campaign Message Builder, which support candidates in developing realistic budgets, identifying campaign priorities and preparing clear campaign messages.
Participants were also introduced to CDD’s Fiji Constitution Hub, a civic education resource aimed at strengthening understanding of Fiji’s constitutional history, constitutional reform and referendum processes. The introduction emphasised the importance of aspiring and prospective election candidates having a sound understanding of the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, which provides the foundation for Fiji’s democratic governance, fundamental rights and the rule of law. It also highlighted the importance of informed public participation in constitutional consultations and the role prospective political leaders can play in encouraging meaningful civic engagement and public dialogue on constitutional matters.
The successful completion of the three divisional trainings marks an important milestone in CDD’s ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive political participation and support greater representation of women and young people in Fiji’s democratic processes.
Through the Empowering Fiji’s Women in Politics Project, CDD remains committed to providing aspiring leaders with the knowledge, resources and practical tools needed to participate confidently and meaningfully in Fiji’s electoral and democratic processes.
