2014 Fijian general election

none January 2022 Fiji parliamentary 2006 Fijian general election 2006 2018 Fijian general election 2018 All 50 seats in the Parliament of Fiji 26 17 September 2014 84.60% (3.05pp) 591,101 130x130px Frank Bainimarama September 2014.jpg Frank Bainimarama FijiFirst – 32 New 293,714 59.17% Teimumu Kepa.jpg Teimumu Kepa Social Democratic Liberal Party 36SDL Compared to the party's predecessor, Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua. 15 21SDL 139,857 28.18% Biman Prasad January 2015.jpg Biman Prasad National Federation Party 0 3 3 27,066 5.45% 350px Results by province 350px Results by division Prime Minister Subsequent Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama Independent politician Frank Bainimarama FijiFirst General elections were held in Fiji on 17 September 2014 to select the 50 members of Parliament."PM Bainimarama – A Strategic Framework for Change" https://web.archive.org/web/20090721052532/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_15376.shtml 21 July 2009 , Fiji government website, 1 July 2009https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26781618 Fiji sets September election date BBC News 28 March 2014http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6389504.html Fiji to hold elections next March – People's Daily Online English.people.com.cn 9 April 2008 7 April 2011 The FijiFirst party, led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, won a landslide victory, winning 32 of the 50 seats.https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/bainimarama-sworn-in-as-fijis-pm/news-story/7b83d9e020310ae309ffe2a230b11c88 Fiji coup leader sworn in as PM Herald Sun 8 April 2023 22 September 2014 The Social Democratic Liberal Party and the National Federation Party were the only other two parties to cross the 5% electoral threshold and win seats.http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Voter-Information-Guide_English.pdf Voter guide 20 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140912014650/http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Voter-Information-Guide_English.pdf 12 September 2014 dead dmy-all The Fiji Labour Party failed to win a seat for the first time since its foundation in the 1980s. The elections had originally been scheduled for March 2009, but were delayed because politicians did not agree to the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress. Between 2009 and 2014 several public announcements and requests were made for elections, and on 23 March 2014 the interim government announced the elections would be held on 17 September 2014. The elections were to be held under the new constitution which lowered the voting age to 18 and gave the right of multiple citizenship to Fijians for the first time. Background After the Fijian military coup of 5 December 2006, the new interim prime minister Jona Senilagakali announced that elections would take place held "hopefully in 12 months, two years".https://www.smh.com.au/world/poll-two-years-off-in-coup-hit-fiji-20061208-gdp01p.html Poll two years off in coup-hit Fiji Sydney Morning Herald 8 December 2006 25 April 2023 Later the military regime made it clear that none of the ministers in the interim government would be allowed to contest the elections.http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200612281856/coup_leader_sets_date_for_fiji_interim_government Coup Leader sets date for Fiji interim government 28 December 2006June 2016 medicmedic On 6 January 2007 Commodore Frank Bainimarama, the leader of the coup, succeeded Senilagakali as interim Prime Minister. On 29 January 2007, Bainimarama announced that the next election would be around five years away.http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2007/01/29/29fijilive02.html Gateway to Fiji, Fiji News, Fiji eDirectory, Fiji Magic, Fiji Real Estate, Fiji Classifieds, Fiji Dating, Fiji Rugby, Fiji Football, Fiji Jobs, Fijian News, Fijian Music, Fiji Houses for Sale, Fiji Holidays, Fiji Sports, Fiji Picture Gallery, Fiji Business, etc Fijilive 29 January 2007 7 April 2011 He informed a visiting regional delegation on 30–31 January that elections would have to wait until a census had been completed, a new voters' roll compiled, and boundaries of electoral districts defined.http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_35522.shtml Fijivillage.com 31 January 2007June 2016 medicmedic Meanwhile, interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum suggested using electronic voting to shorten the period of time for counting votes (previously over ten days), and thereby reduce the potential for election rigging.http://www.fijilive.com/news/show/news/2007/01/31/Fijilive11.html Gateway to Fiji, Fiji News, Fiji eDirectory, Fiji Magic, Fiji Real Estate, Fiji Classifieds, Fiji Dating, Fiji Rugby, Fiji Football, Fiji Jobs, Fijian News, Fijian Music, Fiji Houses for Sale, Fiji Holidays, Fiji Sports, Fiji Picture Gallery, Fiji Business, etc Fijilive 31 January 2007 7 April 2011 Later, Bainimarama announced changes to the electoral system that would abolish the race-based constituencies and that elections would take place in 2010.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/20/apworld/20070220150524&sec=apworld Fiji's ruler says elections will be held in 2010 Thestar.com.my 7 April 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110521044932/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F2%2F20%2Fapworld%2F20070220150524&sec=apworld 21 May 2011 dmy-all It was later clarified that the interim administration has no mandate for electoral and constitutional reform, as such changes have to go through the parliamentary process; as such, the proposed 2010 election would take place under the current race-based system, but Bainimarama stated he wished the next government to change the electoral system.http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_36157.shtml Fijivillage.com dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070225090614/http://www.fijivillage.com/artman/publish/article_36157.shtml 25 February 2007 19 February 2016 In mid-June 2007, Bainimarama gave in to demands from the European Union, Australia and New Zealand to hold polls by 28 February 2009;https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6981381.stm Asia-Pacific | Emergency rule declared in Fiji BBC News 7 September 2007 7 April 2011 http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6279454.html EU concerned with slow political progress in Fiji – People's Daily Online English.people.com.cn 7 April 2011 he also requested assistance with election preparations.Johnson Ed https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=apppFZOgUTSg&refer=australia Fiji Cabinet Says It Agrees in Principle to 2009 Poll (Update2) Bloomberg 19 June 2007 7 April 2011 The deposed Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, stated he would contest the elections.http://www.stuff.co.nz/3994326a12.html New Zealand's source for World News on Stuff.co.nz 15 March 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070930045723/http://www.stuff.co.nz/3994326a12.html 30 September 2007 dead dmy-all By contrast, Bainimarama said that he had no intention of taking part in the election."Fiji's PM opts out of Politics" https://web.archive.org/web/20110717081554/http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=4979 17 July 2011 , Radio Fiji, 23 October 2007 In March 2008, responding to regional pressure for concrete evidence of his commitment to hold elections in 2009, Bainimarama argued: "Elections are central to democracy but they are not always, on their own, a magic or quick-fix solution. How can an election, on its own, make a difference when it is based on divisive and race based communal electoral arrangements? How can an election, on its own, solve the deep differences that our constitution has perpetuated between the different races in our country? Unless there are fundamental reforms, how can an election succeed where it will take us straight back to the grimy old politics of self interest, cronyism and scam mongering?"http://www.stuff.co.nz/4453994a12.html https://archive.today/20120913192641/http://www.stuff.co.nz/4453994a12.html dead 13 September 2012 Elections no magic solution – Bainimarama Field, Michael 27 March 2008 Stuff.co.nz 30 September 2011 In April 2008, Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry stated that it was necessary to complete and implement the People's Charter for Change and Progress before holding any elections."Stop pressuring Fiji for early elections-Chaudhry", FijiVillage, 7 April 2008 In May, Commodore Bainimarama said that elections would not take place in March 2009 unless politicians agreed to the Charter."Agree With Charter Or No Elections", FijiVillage, 22 May 2008 Ousted Vice-President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi remarked that the next election would likely be won by "a Fijian-dominated political party" (meaning indigenous-dominated), and asked what the military would do in such a case.http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=32880 Fiji's ousted vice president says interim regime has limited support among Fijians 10 June 2007 Radio New Zealand International 30 September 2011 Bainimarama stated that Qarase's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party would be authorised to take part in the election, but that, if elected, Qarase would have to abide by the People's Charter. He would not be authorised to introduce or re-introduce policies – such as the Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill- which Bainimarama perceived to be racist. Bainimarama warned Qarase publicly that doing so would result in a new coup: "If you do it, I'll remove you.""On my terms: Bainimarama points way ahead" https://web.archive.org/web/20140714204139/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=90873 14 July 2014 , Fiji Times, 1 June 2008 In March 2010, however, Bainimarama stated that "any politician who has played a role in the country's politics, since 1987" would be prevented from standing for election. The rationale was that "Fiji needs new politicians"."Fiji regime to ban established politicians from 2014 election", Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Charter would serve as a guideline in this respect. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stated that "the People's Charter sets a trend or course for which the people of Fiji should actually assess political parties on and political parties that are essentially try [sic] to contest elections purely based on ethnic politics would not be entertained by the people of Fiji"."Confusion over eligibility of 2009 Fiji election" https://web.archive.org/web/20110930191741/http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=4974 30 September 2011 , Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, 23 October 2007 Despite his earlier commitment not to run, Bainimarama founded and led the Fiji First party into the election. Mahendra Chaudhry was ruled to be ineligible to stand for election.2014-08-19 Mahendra Chaudhry ruled out of Fiji elections https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-19/fiji-labour-leader-ruled-out-of-elections/5680772 2026-07-28 ABC News en-AU Date In April 2009 the Fijian government announced that elections would take place "by September 2014". Bainimarama reiterated this in July, specifying that the elections would be held under the provisions of a new Constitution, which would eliminate institutionalised ethnic-based voting. The new Constitution might also amend the number of seats in Parliament, and possibly abolish the Senate. In February 2010 a petition, reportedly supported by 600,000 signatories, requested elections by the end of the year. Commodore Bainimarama responded that an early election would not be "practical and realistic": "The implementation of the fundamental changes and reforms captured in the People's Charter and which are now being implemented under the framework of the Roadmap – this is the only plan – or priority for Fiji. It is a plan that is objective of a better Fiji – where all benefit and not just the elite few – as has been the case previously." He dismissed what he called "irresponsible demands and proposals of selfish individuals and groups that run counter to the Charter and the road-map"."Elections in Fiji not possible before 2014" https://web.archive.org/web/20110930192129/http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=26085 30 September 2011 , Radio Fiji, 26 February 2010 In March 2011 the New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced that New Zealand would lift its travel ban on members of the Fiji administration if the government committed to holding elections in 2014, and allowing "all stakeholders [...] to participate and not only those favoured by the regime". (Until then, New Zealand had insisted on earlier elections. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10715586 Travel bans go if Fiji commits to 2014 election, says McCully Trevett, Claire 29 March 2011 The New Zealand Herald 30 September 2011 http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=59653 Free 2014 Fiji elections needed to end NZ travel sanctions 29 March 2011 Radio New Zealand International 30 September 2011) Fiji Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola replied that the Fiji government was "committed to ensuring that a good and fair election is conducted" in 2014."Fiji's Elections is set for 2014" https://web.archive.org/web/20120317002630/http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3846%3Afijis-elections-is-set-for-2014&catid=71%3Apress-releases&Itemid=155 17 March 2012 , Fiji government, 29 March 2011 On 30 June 2012 voter registration for the 2014 elections began in Suva. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10816504 Voter registration process begins in Fiji 4 July 2012 New Zealand Herald 30 June 2012 A few days later a Western diplomat confirmed that Fiji was on-schedule for elections in 2014: "It seems fairly clear now that there will be elections of some description in Fiji in 2014. The real question is the extent to which those elections meet minimal international standards for being free and fair. Crucial to answering that question is seeing whether everyone is allowed to compete, and the media and civil society are able to operate in a minimally unimpeded manner." http://eddie-walsh.com/post/26856057734/excerpt-western-diplomat-on-2014-elections-in-fiji https://web.archive.org/web/20120716021647/http://eddie-walsh.com/post/26856057734/excerpt-western-diplomat-on-2014-elections-in-fiji dead 16 July 2012 Western Diplomat on Diplomatic Normalization (Fiji) 9 July 2012 10 July 2012 Finally, on 23 March 2014, the Fiji government announced that the elections would take place on 17 September of that year, a day to be declared a national holiday. A media blackout on campaign activities ran from Monday to Wednesday, the election day. The ban included newspapers, radio, television, campaign poster and social media posts by any Fijian.Fiji election: Media blackout comes into effect as polling day nears, Liam Fox, abc.net.au, 15 September 2014 Electoral system The elections were held using the open list form of party-list proportional representation using the D'Hondt method in one nationwide constituency consisting of 50 seats.Fijian elections office http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Electoral-Decree-2014.pdf 3 July 2014 Electoral decree 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162747/http://www.electionsfiji.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Electoral-Decree-2014.pdf 14 July 2014 dmy-all There is a threshold of 5% of the vote for a list to gain representation. Pre-polling for the elections began two weeks prior to the main election date to cater for those unable to travel long distances to cast their vote. It ended on 15 September. A 48-hour blackout period began soon after, during which no media, including print or social, is allowed to print or post any election material which insinuates campaigning.Chand Shalveen Pre-poll deadline http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=280075 15 September 2014 Fiji Times https://web.archive.org/web/20160118155400/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=280075 18 January 2016 dead dmy-all Almost 590,000 citizens registered to vote in the elections.Firth Stewart Countdown begins to Fiji voting http://www.smh.com.au/comment/countdown-begins-to-fiji-voting-20140916-10hmin.html 17 September 2014 Sydney Morning Herald Faitfax Media 57,084 voters were registered to vote in Lautoka at 141 polling stations.NASIKO REPEKA 57,084 expected to vote at 141 polling centres in Lautoka http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=280406 17 September 2014 Fiji Times https://web.archive.org/web/20140927140815/http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=280406 27 September 2014 dead dmy-all Campaign Seven parties registered to contest the elections, with a total of 248 candidates nominated, of which two were independents.Observors describe elections as free, fair and transparent https://web.archive.org/web/20150623031529/http://fijione.tv/observors-describe-elections-as-free-fair-and-transparent/ 23 June 2015 Fiji One, 18 September 2014 Opinion polls Approval ratings Satisfaction of Frank Bainimarama as Prime Minister SourceiTaukeiIndo-FijianTotal Lowy InstituteFlint David 2011-09-10 Fiji poll points to re-appraisal - claim PM Bainimarama more popular than PM Gillard https://norepublic.com.au/fiji-poll-points-to-re-appraisal-claim-pm-bainimarama-more-popular-than-pm-gillard-2/ 2026-08-11 Australians for Constitutional Monarchy en-AU 60% 75% 66% Preferred prime minister none Graphical summary of opinion polls for voting intention Preferred prime minister polling for the 2014 Fijian general election.chart Preferred prime minister polling for the 2014 Fijian general election.tab 800px Pollster(s)DateBainimaramaKepaPrasadAnthonyChaudhryOtherLead Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/fiji-sun-poll/ Fiji Sun Poll 28 March 2014 8 April 2023 29 Mar 2014 80% 9% 0% — 4% 7% +71% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/04/06/fiji-sun-poll-week-six/ Fiji Sun Poll week six 6 April 2014 8 April 2023 6 Apr 2014 76% 4% 0% 0% 2% 17% +72% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/05/03/new-razor-poll-from-the-fiji-sun/ New Razor Poll from the Fiji Sun 3 May 2014 8 April 2023 3 May 2014 78% 1% 8% — 2% 11% +70% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/16602/ Fiji Today FijiTodays Open Forum Blog 31 May 2014 8 April 2023 31 May 2014 79% 6% 4% 0% 1% — +73% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/fiji-sun-poll-3/ Fiji Sun Poll…… Massive support for Qarase if you accept the undecided vote is most likely silent support. 15 June 2014 8 April 2023 14 Jun 2014 82% 7% 5% 1% 0% 5% +75% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/16894/ Fiji Today FijiTodays Open Forum Blog 13 July 2014 8 April 2023 12 Jul 2014 79% 8% 5% 2% 1% 5% +71% Fiji Sun 19 Jul 2014 84% 6% 6% 1% 1% — +78% Voting intention none Graphical summary of opinion polls for voting intention Political party opinion polling for the 2014 Fijian general election.chart Political party opinion polling for the 2014 Fijian general election.tab 500px Pollster(s)DateFijiFirstSODELPANFPPDPLabourUnsureLead Fiji Sun 29 Mar 2014 51% 5% 0% 2% 4% 38% +46% Fiji Sun 6 Apr 2014 47% 5% 0% 1% 2% 45% +42% Fiji Sun 3 May 2014 49% 2% 6% 9% 2% 32% +40% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/05/17/fiji-sun-weekly-poll/ Fiji Sun weekly Poll 17 May 2014 8 April 2023 17 May 2014 67% 7% 5% 4% 2% — +60% Fiji Sun 31 May 2014 68% 6% 4% 3% 1% — +62% Fiji Sun 14 Jun 2014 80% 6% 6% 1% 1% — +74% Fiji Sun 12 Jul 2014 78% 8% 5% 3% 1% 5% +70% Fiji Sunhttps://fijitoday.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/17149/ Fiji Today FijiTodays Open Forum Blog 8 August 2014 8 April 2023 9 Aug 2014 56% 17% 2% 1% 2% 11% +39% Results File:Fiji Parliament 2014.svg FijiFirst 293714 32 New Social Democratic Liberal Party 139857 15 –21 National Federation Party 27066 3 +3 People's Democratic Party 15864 0 New Fiji Labour Party 11670 0 –31 One Fiji Party 5839 0 New Fiji United Freedom Party 1072 0 New Independents 1282 0 –2 3714 –21 591101 Ratuva & Lawson By division Division FijiFirst SODELPA NFP PDP FLP OFP FAP Ind. Total votes Central 55.9% 32.7% 4.9% 2.7% 2.0% 1.2% 0.2% 0.3% 207,511 Eastern 28.6% 63.2% 2.3% 3.0% 1.6% 1.0% 0.3% 0.1% 19,291 Northern 52.3% 36.2% 4.7% 2.8% 2.0% 1.6% 0.1% 0.2% 74,233 Western 68.8% 16.3% 6.6% 3.9% 3.0% 0.9% 0.3% 0.2% 188,143 Postal votes 54.7% 32.7% 7.3% 2.3% 1.4% 1.1% 0.1% 0.4% 7,186 Fiji 59.2% 28.2% 5.5% 3.2% 2.4% 1.2% 0.2% 0.3% 496,364 Source: 2014 General Election Report Aftermath The election was endorsed as "credible" by international observers, including by Australia, Indonesiahttps://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/23/indonesia-stands-by-2014-poll/ Indonesia Stands By 2014 Poll fijisun.com.fj 8 April 2023 and New Zealand. Some shortcomings were however noted, such as a restrictive media framework which limited Fijian journalists' ability to "examine rigorously the claims of candidates and parties", a short timeframe for the election and a complex voting system.Perry Nick Pita Ligaiula Int'l monitors endorse Fiji election as credible http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6e44f8f77b6e4c0e867b9d8750689e5b/international-monitors-endorse-fiji-election 25 September 2014 AP 18 September 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140921010517/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6e44f8f77b6e4c0e867b9d8750689e5b/international-monitors-endorse-fiji-election 21 September 2014 dmy Leaders of several of the opposition parties protested the result, claiming ballot tampering.Perry Nick Pita Ligaiula Fiji's military ruler sworn in as elected leader http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6e44f8f77b6e4c0e867b9d8750689e5b/international-monitors-endorse-fiji-election 7 October 2014 AP 22 September 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140921010517/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6e44f8f77b6e4c0e867b9d8750689e5b/international-monitors-endorse-fiji-election 21 September 2014 dmy See also List of members of the Parliament of Fiji (2014–2018) Notes References Fiji Category:Elections in Fiji General Fiji