The Speaker of Parliament has been appointed during the first sitting of Parliament in Fiji. The nominees for the position were Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a former speaker, and Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. After a secret ballot vote, the results showed 27 votes for Ratu Epeli and 28 for Ratu Naiqama.
Ratu Naiqama, the successful nominee, was nominated by National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad, who stated that Ratu Naiqama was no stranger to parliament and Fiji’s political scene. Ratu Naiqama was first elected into parliament in May 1999 and was sworn in before being escorted to the Speaker’s chair.