The Fijian authorities responsible for elections announced here Tuesday that 488,734 Fijians have registered at Voter Registration Centers (VRCs) across the country with a population of 800,000 people in the first wave of registration for the 2014 general elections.

This represents around 80 percent of current eligible domestic voters, with another period of registration to come later in the year and the first registrations of Fijians living abroad to begin next year.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, the Attorney-General and Minister Responsible for Elections, hailed that "this is a great achievement as Fiji moves toward parliamentary elections in 2014" and "the overwhelming turn-out of the Fijian people is a clear indication of their willingness and commitment to participate in the process of building a better Fiji for all."

"A Fiji that provides the legal and moral foundation for a common and equal citizenry. Where there is no legal obligation to vote along ethnic lines, but where every Fijian over the age of 18 has an equal vote to cast as they choose," he stressed.

As voter registration comes to a close, public consultations for a new constitution continue as the independent Constitutional Commission travels around the country receiving submissions.

Fiji is in the process of 2014 national elections as the current military-led regime has pledged to return power to the civil administration through the democratic elections. The military regime took power after the 2006 coup.