Next Fijian general election explained

Country:Fiji
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2022 Fijian general election
Previous Year:2022
Seats For Election:All 55 seats in Parliament
Majority Seats:28
Election Date:No later than 2026
Image1:Sitiveni Rabuka PIF 2023.jpg
Leader1:Sitiveni Rabuka
Party1:People's Alliance (Fiji)
Last Election1:35.82%, 21 seats
Seats Before1:21
Seats Needed1: 7
Leader2:Biman Prasad
Party2:National Federation Party
Last Election2:8.89%, 5 seats
Seats Before2:5
Seats Needed2: 23
Image3:Aseri Radrodro 2016.jpg
Leader3:Aseri Radrodro
Party3:Social Democratic Liberal Party
Last Election3:5.14%, 3 seats
Seats Before3:3
Seats Needed3: 25
Prime Minister
Posttitle:Subsequent Prime Minister
Before Election:Sitiveni Rabuka
Before Party:People's Alliance

General elections will be held in Fiji by 2026 to elect members of the eighth Parliament under the 2013 constitution.

Background

The 2022 general elections resulted in a hung parliament. Although FijiFirst emerged as the largest party, a coalition government was formed by the People's Alliance (led by Sitiveni Rabuka) with the National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).[1] This coalition has also began somewhat friendly relations with other parties such as the Fiji Labour Party, which signed a memorandum of understanding with the Freedom Alliance and the Unity Party.[2]

Following the coalition's victory, members from all three parties were given ministerial positions in the Cabinet. Due to this, there are three Deputy Prime Ministers; Manoa Kamikamica (People's Alliance), Biman Prasad (NFP) and Bill Gavoka (SODELPA).

On 17 February 2023, Bainimarama was suspended from Parliament for three years after making offensive comments about President Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, along with making seditious statements in breach of standing orders.[3] On 8 March 2023, he resigned from Parliament and as Opposition Leader, being arrested and charged with breach of office the next day.[4] He was replaced as Opposition Leader by Inia Seruiratu,[5] but remained party leader.[6]

On 7 June 2023, it was revealed that the FijiFirst party would be deregistered if they failed to proceed with submitting their audited accounts to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) by 15 July 2023. Members of the party would also be unable to attended the next sitting of Parliament if their accounts are not submitted to the FEO by 15 June 2023. If the seats of these members are vacant, a by-election would be held.[7]

On 14 March 2024 the High Court of Fiji convicted Bainimarama of attempting to pervert the course of justice.[8] On 9 May 2024 he was sentenced to one year in prison.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2022-12-24 . Rabuka sworn in as Fiji prime minister after close election . 2022-12-25 . AP NEWS . en.
  2. Web site: Fijivillage . FLP, Freedom Alliance and Unity Fiji sign MOU to work together . 2023-02-28 . www.fijivillage.com . en.
  3. Web site: Bainimarama suspended from parliament for 3 years . Fiji Village . 17 February 2023 . 17 February 2023.
  4. Web site: Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama charged with abuse of office, to spend the night in custody . ABC News . 9 March 2023 . 12 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Inia Seruiratu To Lead Opposition To 'Keep Government In Check' . Fiji Sun . 9 March 2023 . 12 April 2023.
  6. News: Kumar . Kreetika . Bainimarama remains Party Leader . 9 May 2024 . . 9 May 2024.
  7. Web site: It's up to the party | Fijian Elections Office on audited reports . 6 June 2023 .
  8. Web site: 14 March 2024 . Fiji chief justice overturns not guilty verdict in Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho case . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240314035444/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/511711/fiji-chief-justice-overturns-not-guilty-verdict-in-frank-bainimarama-and-sitiveni-qiliho-case . 14 March 2024 . 14 March 2024 . .
  9. Web site: 9 May 2024 . Bainimarama sentenced to 1 year in prison while Qiliho sentenced to 2 years imprisonment . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240509000618/https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Bainimarama-sentenced-to-1-year-in-prison-854frx/#lvygwbuzcthij8v3zbg . 9 May 2024 . 9 May 2024 . Fiji Village.
  10. News: McGuirk . Rod . 9 May 2024 . Fiji's ex-leader, Frank Bainimarama, sentenced to prison for interfering in police investigation . 9 May 2024 . Associated Press.