In just under four months, Fijians will head to the polls in the country’s first democratic election since the 2006 military coup.

On the streets, there appears to be widespread support for Rear Admiral Bainimarama, his policies and Fiji First, his new political party.

Many are predicting Fiji First will win the September election and Bainimarama will continue on as Prime Minister.

In the main market in the capital Suva, many of the stallholders say they will vote for Fiji First.

They say crime has decreased in recent years and they feel much safer going about their business.

“The laws they’re making are tightening things up,” said one stallholder. “Before, in Fiji anyone can assault you. Now, if you assault anybody you’ll be arrested.”

Suva’s sprawling squatter settlements are strongholds of Bainimarama support.

Despite the poverty, policies like free education, free public transport for children and price controls on staple foods are popular.

“Here we are low income earners and we’re really seeing the benefit of what the government’s been doing,” said one resident, Peniasi Ranawai.

Bainimarama is also popular outside the main cities, in villages where power and water supplies have been connected for the first time.

His government is investing heavily in new infrastructure, especially roads, financed through increased government debt.

However, there are those who fear the election will not be free and fair.

“It’s not an equal playing field for all parties,” says Reverend Akuila Yabaki from the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum.

“The party that has not been registered is Bainimarama’s party but already they’re doing money politics.”

Reverend Yabaki believes the government has breached its own electoral laws by campaigning before Fiji First has been registered as a political party.

He’s concerned that several decrees and a timid media have created an atmosphere favourable to the government.

Nevertheless, Reverend Yabaki says the election is an important step on the road back to democracy.

“We should look back into history and also look forward with a vision to make Fiji a better place,” he said.

Dr Jiko Luveni is the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the President of Fiji First.

She says the elections will be free and fair and denies Bainimarama has breached rules governing political campaigning.

“From what I hear he has not been campaigning. He’s merely trying to get the signatures of the people and also answering questions by the people,” she said.

If Fiji First does form the next government, Dr Luveni does not think it will be difficult for the party to transition from a military dictatorship to a parliamentary democracy.

“Although we have so many decrees, these decrees, before it goes to cabinet, it goes through a consultation process – so all the stakeholders would have been consulted first,” she said.

On the streets of Suva, it is easy to find people who are prepared to publicly back Bainimarama and his government.

Getting people who are opposed to the government to speak openly is another matter and many are afraid of being threatened by the police or military.

So it’s difficult to accurately gauge Commodore Bainimarama’s and Fiji First’s popularity.

On the surface, it looks like his grip on political power will continue, but many Fijians are holding their tongues until polling day.