Diwali fireworks crackle and pop in the Nadi night sky.
A prospective voter in Fiji studies her voter instruction booklet. November 2018 Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koroi Hawkins
The Hindu celebration of light over darkness came amid last ditch campaigning this week for Fiji's general election on Wednesday.
It was a bit of light relief from the sometimes heated political debate around Fiji since the election date was announced just six weeks ago.
Fiji First leader Frank Bainimarama is vying for a second term as an elected leader. The number 688 is his number of the ballot paper, on which names and party logos aren't shown. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
"I am absolutely excited about this election because there is so much at stake," said a supporter at a Social Democratic Liberal Party rally in the town this week.
Six political parties are vying for 51 seats in Fiji's parliament which was re-established in 2014 following eight years of military rule under then military commander Frank Bainimarama.
Mr Bainimarama is hoping to repeat his landslide victory at the polls and have another four years in office.
Out on the streets of Nadi the mood was mixed.
"We really don't want this government that is running today. We really want change," said Jope, having a late snack on the roadside.
Sitiveni, sitting on a step nearby, said he thought the FijiFirst government had been good but he had questions especially about land security.
Fiji's sugar industry has been struggling in recent years, with the problems compounded by cyclones and floods. Here's a truck transports sugarcane for crushing in the western town of Lautoka, which is in a region shaping up to be a key battleground. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koroi Hawkins
First-time voter Jonathan, manning one of the food stalls, was still mulling who to vote for and keen on the National Federation Party's plan to double the national minimum wage.
"People kind of panicking, what's going to happen next," said Brendan, strolling home after work.
"If (there's) a different party with different ideas, they might think oh someone might start a coup and that stuff, so just not sure what's going to happen next," he said.
Main battleground
Mr Bainimarama has been telling voters a vote for him means continued equality for all Fijians, economic growth, and security.
Western Fiji is set to be one of the main battle grounds in the November 14 election. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins
In the final weekend of campaigning, he has moved his FijiFirst Family Fun Days to the west, home to Fiji's key sugar and tourism industries and scene of several devastating cyclones and floods over the past four years.
The main opposition party SODELPA was also in the west this week promoting its candidates amid uncertainty over the party leader Sitiveni Rabuka who is facing a court ruling just two days before the polls.
"We are going out as Team Kepa, or Team Lynda and trying as best we can to see which areas we can target," SODELPA candidate Ro Teimumu Kepa said.
She said campaigning had also been more difficult this time with the tight lead in time for the election.
Attacks on his campaign billboards and what he said was a climate of fear were contributing to an unlevel playing field for parties fighting FijiFirst, according to Aman Ravindra-Singh of the Fiji Labour Party.
He also alleged government vote buying
Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader Aman Ravindra-Singh. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koroi Hawkins
"The climate of fear is huge and it's not a free and fair election when the vast majority of the population remain very scared," he said as he prepared for a day of campaigning on the "bread and butter issues" affecting local communities.
In the last week, the National Federation Party has had its supporters out on foot going door to door to raise awareness about local candidates.
He said the party had learnt from the last election that it needed to work constituency-style even though the proportional representation electoral system brought in in 2014 did away with constituencies.
"It's electric out there," NFP candidate Prem Singh said.
He said people weren't buying into any fear mongering and had confidence in the rule of law.
"People are gearing up to vote, particularly people from the rural areas, settlements, workers. They're ready to vote."
