The day started with prayers in most constituencies, and people started lining up as early as 7 am as the nation heads to the polls.

Polling booths across the country open at 8 am, but people started lining up at dawn, most hoping to get voting out of the way.

Photojournalist Junior S. Ami reported from Safotu in Gagaifomauga 1 that people went to the local Catholic parish even before dawn to start the day with prayers.

He said everything was peaceful and calm and expected the crowd to start coming in as it moved closer to the opening of the booths.

In Lotofaga, the constituency where Fiame Naomi Mataafa is contesting, also started with a prayer session.

Journalist Sulamanaia Manaui Faulalo reported that people had slowly started to make their way to the polling booths.

Similarly, lines have started building outside polling booths in the bigger constituencies of Faleata 1, and Vaimauga 2 and 3.

The Office of the Electoral Commission deployed staff on Thursday to rural and maritime zones. Most electoral officials have spent the night in villages to be ready when the doors open.