Elections Office publishes names of Independent and Party Candidates

The Fijian Elections Office has published the names of Independent Candidates and Party Candidates that they find have complied with the requirements of the Constitution and the Electoral Decree.

The FijiFirst Party is the only party which had all their 50 proposed candidates approved by the Elections Office.

Former TV presenter, Nemani Bainivalu who was earlier announced as FijiFirst candidate was replaced by Managing Director of Captain Cook Cruises, Semi Koroilavesau.

The National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party which filed 50 proposed candidates both had 1 rejected.

NFP’s nomination for Fred Work has been rejected due to a previous conviction which was within the eight year period.

NFP General Secretary, Kamal Iyer said they are surprised to get two decisions within a few hours.

He said that they received a letter from the Elections Office at about 5.45 last night saying that all their nominations were accepted however they later received a call at about 9.45pm saying that the Police Report had just arrived and Fred Work cannot be a candidate.

The Fiji Labour Party had 37 proposed candidates approved.

FLP had filed for the names of 42 proposed candidates which also included their Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

Chaudhry is one of the 5 proposed candidates that did not comply with the requirements and his name is rejected.

The People's Democratic Party which filed 50 proposed candidates had 46 candidates approved.

The One Fiji Party had one candidate rejected after filing 14 proposed candidates yesterday.

The Fiji United Freedom Party which filed the names of 4 proposed candidates had one also rejected.

Party President Jagath Karunaratne's name is not included.

Umesh Chand and Roshika Deo are the only two independent candidates.

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said registered voters are invited to inspect the details of the candidates and raise any objections to the Elections Office no later than 4pm today.

The National Candidates List is expected to be announced later this week.

This is when the candidates’ names will be drawn with numbers and each candidate will get a number.