Fiji’s Parliament is preparing to elect a new Speaker in a special session scheduled for tomorrow at 8 AM. According to a parliamentary advisory, this meeting will be exclusive to invited attendees, but live coverage will be available through the Walesi platform and the Parliament’s Facebook page.
Last month, Deputy Speaker Lenora Qereqeretabua clarified that President-Elect Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu will only officially take on his role after taking the Oath of Office. She also indicated that the position of Speaker is set to become vacant on November 12, 2024, at which point Standing Order 17 will dictate the process for filling the position.
In an update, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced his intention to nominate Retired Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko for the role of Speaker. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu, is expected to issue a statement regarding his own nomination.
As outlined in Section 77(1)(a), the election of the Speaker must be conducted by a simple majority, and the selected individual must not currently be a member of Parliament but should meet the qualifications to be an MP candidate.
This upcoming election is pivotal for Fiji’s legislative process, and the clarity surrounding nominations reflects a commitment to uphold parliamentary standards and transparency. The public can look forward to engaging with the proceedings remotely, highlighting the importance of citizen involvement in democratic processes.
Overall, this election marks a significant step in ensuring a robust parliamentary framework and offers the opportunity for new leadership to inspire and guide Fiji’s governance moving forward.
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