Although fresh elections had been due to take place in 1873, they were cancelled after protests from Europeans about the plans to let Fijians vote.
[1] Although Indo-Fijians were able to vote in municipal elections, voting practices in the community were considered suspect and the Governor noted that he "did not consider it necessary to provide for the representation of the Indians and Pacific Islanders because they had shown themselves open to corruption at the municipal elections.
"[3] Instead, the Indo-Fijian community was represented only by the Agent-General for Immigration, one of the six civil servants in the Council.
People involved in cultivating land were not eligible to vote in the geographic constituencies.
[1] Following the elections Josefa Lala and Joni Madraiwiwi were appointed as the Fijian members.