Sitting SODELPA parliamentarian passes away

Sitting SODELPA parliamentarian and former Chairman of the Native Lands Commission, Ratu Viliame Tagivetaua has passed away after a short illness.

This message has been conveyed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the I-Taukei Affairs, Savenaca Kaunisela before the launch of the Ministry of the I-Taukei Affairs, 2015 Annual Corporate Plan.

Kaunisela told the members of his staff to observe a moment of silence to remember Tagivetaua for his service as Chairman of the Native Lands Commission.

Meanwhile SODELPA’s Mikaele Leawere is expected to take up the parliamentary seat now vacated by the late Tagivetaua.

According to the constitution, if the seat held by a member of parliament who is a member of a political party becomes vacant, then the Electoral Commission must award that seat to a candidate of the same party who in the most recent general election, is the highest ranked out of the candidates of that party who did not get elected to parliament.

Mikaele Leawere is the next candidate on the SODELPA list.