Tui Labasa, Ratu Jone Qomate, has voiced his opposition to the proposal advocating for reserved seats in Parliament for women candidates in the upcoming 2026 General Election. Speaking from his home in Benau, Labasa, he expressed that such a reservation system could be seen as unfair to other candidates and detracts from the principle of merit-based recognition in politics.
Ratu Jone remarked on the increasing media attention and public discourse surrounding the need for gender-specific seats, emphasizing that Fiji’s electoral system, based on the concept of ‘one person, one vote, one value’, should remain intact. He believes that all candidates, regardless of gender, should earn their positions through hard work and strong policy proposals rather than through special privileges.
Highlighting the fact that women represent nearly half of the population, he argued that the focus should be on empowering women to compete on an equal footing, without implementing measures that he perceives as giving women unfair advantages. “A level playing field is essential for all candidates,” he stated.
Ratu Jone also raised concerns that the introduction of reserved seats for women might lead to demands from other minority groups for similar provisions, complicating the electoral landscape. He denounced such proposals as hypocritical, suggesting they undermine the democratic process aimed at ensuring candidates are elected based on genuine voter support.
In conjunction with his critique of reserved seats for women, Ratu Jone called on the Fijian Elections Office and the Fiji Law Reform Commission to reconsider the five percent voter threshold for winning a seat in Parliament. He noted that the current threshold may exclude capable candidates, citing examples from the 2018 elections where parties secured significant votes yet did not gain representation.
These sentiments echo the ongoing national debate on women’s representation in Fiji, where some leaders advocate for reforms to enhance female participation in governance. For instance, the Kingdom Future Party and SODELPA have also expressed skepticism toward gender reservation proposals, emphasizing a focus on merit.
In this climate of discussion, where contrasting views coexist, there remains a collective aspiration from various segments of society to work towards a more inclusive political landscape. Organizations and leaders advocating for women’s rights continue to push for systematic changes that would facilitate equal opportunities for women in political arenas, illuminating the path towards a governance system that is both diverse and broadly representative of the population.
Overall, the conversations surrounding women’s representation remain vibrant, with hopes that constructive dialogue and necessary reforms can empower more women to take on pivotal roles in shaping the future of Fiji.
Leave a comment