Independent Opposition lawmaker Mosese Bulitavu has announced his support for Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Bulitavu claims that 10 other Opposition MPs will also back Rabuka, although he did not disclose their identities.
Bulitavu expressed uncertainty around the rules of joining other political parties, wondering how seats would be allocated if he switched allegiance to another party he didn’t run for in previous elections. “If I show interest in the People’s Alliance or Labour, does it mean those with higher votes than me within those parties will take my seat?” he questioned.
These considerations come in the wake of FijiFirst, the party Bulitavu actively represented in the 2022 General Election, being deregistered by the Elections Supervisor for not amending its constitution. Bulitavu mentioned that the Political Parties Act discusses deregistration and gives room for a Member of Parliament to join another political party or remain independent, but the 2013 Constitution lacks clear provisions on the matter. He also added that the lawmakers who drafted the Constitution failed to anticipate that some representatives may choose to become independents.
To finalize their decision, they will have to inform the Parliament Speaker whether they plan to join any political party. This announcement was originally reported by The Fiji Times.