The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) has publicly opposed the proposal for reserved seats in Fiji’s Parliament, specifically for women, arguing that such measures foster tokenism instead of authentic inclusion. At a recent engagement with the Fiji Law Reform Commission regarding electoral reforms, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa expressed the party’s commitment to enhancing female representation in leadership roles, yet firmly rejected reserved seats as a solution.
Takayawa highlighted that the existing nationwide open-list proportional representation (PR) system leads to a disconnection between constituents and their elected representatives. He noted that many voters struggle to identify their MPs, contributing to a significant gap in accountability and representation. To address this issue, he proposed adopting a division-based open list PR system, which would aim to increase voter understanding and local representation while strengthening accountability.
In addition to discussing electoral representation, SODELPA called for the reinstatement of a Senate to ensure constitutional compliance and serve as a check on executive power. Takayawa believes that maintaining a Parliament of 55 MPs would strike the right balance in representing the Fijian populace while remaining cost-effective.
SODELPA has also taken a stance on the five percent threshold for party representation, asserting that it must be preserved to ensure political stability and avoid fragmentation. The party warns against lowering this threshold, which they believe could allow a proliferation of independents that would complicate the political landscape further.
This dialogue on electoral reform is reminiscent of ongoing challenges highlighted by experts and other political leaders in Fiji regarding electoral systems and the necessity for reforms that better reflect the will and needs of the population. There is a general optimism that through continued engagement and reform, Fiji’s electoral framework can evolve to foster a more inclusive political environment, allowing for diverse voices to be heard in governance. As these conversations progress, they hold the potential to shape a more representative democracy that truly serves the interests of all Fijians.
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