Cogito, ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. (René Descartes, mathematician and philosopher,1599-1650)

Friday 19 October 2018

Fiji Election Update 19 October

"Fear God and honour the King."  pn 142
FijiFirst, SODELPA and the National Federation Party are each fielding 51 candidates, the number of seats in Parliament plus the Speaker.

The Fiji Labour Party, HOPE (Humanity, Opportunities, Prosperity, Equality) and Unity Fiji parties have between 25 and 28. The People's Democratic Party and Freedom Alliance Party will not contest the election, choosing instead to respectively work with SODELPA or the FLP. There are no Independent candidates. 


The three main parties will almost certainly win seats, and HOPE has an outside possibility.

All the major parties have ethnic iTaukei, Indo-Fijians and Others, women  and chiefly candidates. But SODELPA is overweight in iTaukei and chiefs, and FijiFirst under-weight in chiefs.  Here is the official list of candidates by party.

Unity Fiji party leader Savenaca Narube says the electoral system is unfair and undemocratic because "a party can win the elections with less than 26 candidates. Furthermore, under this one national constituency, candidates that miss out on a seat in Parliament can receive more votes than those that win a seat".  

He also said many prospective candidates had withdrawn "due to fears of possible repercussions to their companies, jobs and families. Some withdrew because of the long uncertainty of the election date and for financial reasons.”  Read more. Read more.

SODELPA's Sitiveni Rabuka, speaking on Viti FM Straight Talk , said he can work with any other party even if they are the minor partners except with FijiFirst. Rabuka confirmed they had coalition talks with the National Federation Party but nothing had materialized. 

Fiji readers will be able to listen to NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad on the Straight Talk Show next Monday, FijiFirst General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum will be on the show on Tuesday, Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube on on Wednesday, and NFP Biman Prasad and FijiFirst Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum on Thursday.

The Straight Talk show starts at 7pm and you can listen to Viti FM on 92.2FM in Suva, Nausori, Central Division, Labasa, Nadi and Lautoka, 92FM in Sigatoka, the Coral Coast, Tavua, Vatukoula, Savusavu and Ba, and 92.6FM in Rakiraki.  You can call 3314766 to ask questions during the show.

Dakuvula challenges legitimacy
 Meanwhile, well known and respected former civil servant and Unity Fiji candidate Jone Dakuvula has threatened to take FijiFirst's Voqere Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum to Court. He challenges the legality of their candidacy, saying they have been involved in vote buying and bribery.  To read what he has to say, look up his Facebook page.

Video from FijiFirst Sigatoka meeting. Click here to listen. Click here to listen


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