Retired High Court Judge Justice Filimoni Jitoko is poised to become the next Speaker of Parliament in Fiji, following the transition of Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to the presidency. The vacancy in the Speaker’s office will arise next week when the President-elect officially assumes his new role.
Parliament’s Business Committee recently reached a unanimous decision to convene a special session on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. to facilitate the appointment of the new Speaker. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed his intention to nominate Justice Jitoko for the position, a move that has received Cabinet approval.
Justice Jitoko brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served as the chief justice of the Nauru Supreme Court from 2017 and previously as the Registrar from 2015 to 2017. He graduated from the University of the South Pacific in 1969 and later obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1978.
According to the 2013 Constitution, the Speaker’s position will become vacant immediately before the first meeting of Parliament following a general election or if the current holder assumes another public office. At its inaugural meeting after an election, Parliament is required to elect a Speaker who is not a member of Parliament but is qualified to stand for election as a member.
This transition reflects a significant moment for Fiji’s political landscape, and the appointment of a respected legal figure like Justice Jitoko could bring stability and integrity to the parliamentary proceedings. It is hoped that under his leadership, the Parliament will navigate the challenges ahead and work towards advancing the interests of the Fijian people effectively.
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