Retired High Court Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko is poised to assume the role of Speaker of Parliament as the position becomes available following the elevation of President-Elect Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to the presidency.
Parliament has confirmed that the Business Committee unanimously agreed to hold a special sitting next Tuesday to appoint the new Speaker, with members scheduled to convene at 8 am. Justice Jitoko is expected to be nominated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who assured that this nomination received the Cabinet’s backing.
Justice Jitoko is well-acquainted with judicial processes, having formerly served as the chief justice of the Nauru Supreme Court from 2017, in addition to his role as Registrar from 2015 to 2017. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1978, following his studies at the University of the South Pacific, where he graduated in 1969.
The transition adheres to the provisions of the 2013 Constitution, which stipulates that the Speaker’s office becomes vacant when an individual assumes another public office or during the first parliamentary meeting following a general election. The Constitution also mandates that Parliament elect a Speaker who is not an MP but is qualified to stand for election.
This change in leadership is not just a procedural shift but also a reflection of the evolving political landscape in Fiji. It highlights the continuity of governance as well as the commitment to upholding the principles of democratic representation. There is an opportunity for Justice Jitoko to bring his judicial experience to this legislative role, potentially fostering a more robust dialogue in Parliament and enhancing the democratic process in Fiji.
Overall, the upcoming parliamentary session is set to be a significant moment for both the new Speaker’s role and for the direction of Fiji’s governance as it embarks on this next chapter.
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