Fiji - News Archive

Fiji military leader says no elections for 5 years

Posted: 05/01/2009
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Fiji's military ruler defied international pressure to announce elections by Friday, confirming that he would not hold them for at least five years and setting the stage for his country's ouster from a South Pacific bloc....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

Refusing Elections, Fiji Faces Expulsion From Regional Organization

Posted: 05/01/2009
Members of the Pacific Islands Forum will suspend Fiji’s membership tonight unless Prime Minister Voreqe BAINIMARAMA reneges on suspending elections until September 2014. BAINIMARAMA led a military coup in 2006 against the mostly ethnic Fijian government, promising a new constitution and electoral law more favorable to the country’s Indian minority. President Ratu Josefa ILOILO suspended the constitution in April, dismissing judges opposed to the junta. If suspended from the Forum, Fiji will lose access to development assistance from member countries. Losing access to these funds, however, may not affect the regime’s behavior, as BAINIMARAMA has been able to rely on other sources. China increased its aid to Fiji from $23 million USD in 2006 to $161 million USD in 2007. “China understands what is happening here and that we need to do things our own way,” BAINIMARAMA told the UK-based Sky News.

Source: ElectionGuide

Regional Organization Expels Fiji For Refusing Election

Posted: 05/01/2009
Member states in the Pacific Islands Forum have voted to suspend Fiji’s membership following a refusal by military leader Voreqe BAINMARAMA to hold elections within the year. BAINMARAMA last week said he would not allow elections until September 2014. While suspension from the Forum means Fiji cannot receive development assistance from member states, China has signaled its intention to continue aid flows. BAINMARAMA led a coup against the mostly ethnic Fijian government in 2006, promising a new constitution and election law more favorable to the country’s Indian minority.

Source: ElectionGuide

UN condemns military rule in Fiji

Posted: 04/20/2009
The United Nations Security Council condemns Fiji's military rule, calling for elections as soon as possible.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Fiji's president assumes power, fires judges

Posted: 04/10/2009
SUVA, Fiji (AP) -- Fiji's president suspended the constitution of his troubled South Pacific country on Friday and fired the judges who declared its military government illegal....

Read full story. Source: AP Top International News

Fiji leader defiant after threats

Posted: 01/28/2009
Fiji's leader says NZ Prime Minister John Key is "very rude", after regional leaders demanded he hold elections.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Fiji leader defiant after threats

Posted: 01/28/2009
Fiji's leader says NZ Prime Minister John Key is "very rude", after regional leaders demanded he hold elections.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Pacific leaders set Fiji deadline

Posted: 01/27/2009
Fiji's military rulers are given until the end of the year to hold an election or face sanctions from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Coup culture

Posted: 12/04/2008
Two years on, are elections in Fiji any closer?

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

March 2009 Elections Cancelled in Fiji

Posted: 07/18/2008
Fiji will not hold elections in March 2009, according to Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, Fiji's self-proclaimed Interim Prime Minister. BAINIMARAMA, who led a military coup that overthrew Fiji's democratically-elected government in 2006, had promised to hold elections to restore democratic rule in March 2009. However, he later qualified his promise, stating that elections would be contingent upon the enactment of various unspecified electoral reforms designed to eliminate the electoral system's current racial biases. BAINIMARAMA today told Radio Fiji that holding elections in March 2009 would be unachievable as that date would not allow sufficient time to implement his desired electoral reforms. BAINIMARAMA gave no indication during the interview as to when he expected his reforms to be complete or when elections might be held.

Source: ElectionGuide

Fiji talks to focus on elections

Posted: 07/14/2008
Foreign ministers from the South Pacific region gather in Fiji to call for an early return to democratic rule.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Fiji Coup Leader May Postpone Elections Planned for March 2009

Posted: 06/19/2008
Fiji's self-appointed Prime Minister Commodore Frank BAINIMARAMA informed a visiting delegation from the European Union that he may postpone next year's elections in order to reform the country’s electoral system. While he claimed to be committed to holding elections in the first quarter of next year, BAINIMARAMA, who overthrew Fiji's elected government in 2006, affirmed that elections could not take place until the country's electoral system had been reformed. To reform Fiji's electoral system, BAINIMARAMA has proposed organizing a political forum to decide how the system should be changed, but stated that the process could likely be held up if key stakeholders do not participate constructively in the forum dialogue.

Source: ElectionGuide

Fiji Government Affirms Commitment to March 2009 Elections

Posted: 05/30/2008
Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Epeli Nailatikau reiterated the government's commitment to holding a "free, fair, and transparent democratic election in March 2009" at a speech on May 28, despite statements to the contrary by Fiji's military chief and self-appointed interim prime minister, Frank BAINIMARAMA. BAINIMARAMA reportedly announced on a local radio station that he might ban the opposition Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party from participating in March elections next year if he does not receive support for his proposed national charter. The charter is meant to curb corruption and racial divisions in the country through changes to Fiji's electoral system. Previously BAINIMARAMA had stated that elections could be put on hold until the charter is adopted and the electoral law changes are put in place. Opponents of the charter are concerned it could be used to undermine the 1997 Constitution. BAINIMARAMA led a bloodless coup in December 2006 and committed in October 2007 under international pressure to hold elections in 2009, but has made statements in recent months casting doubt on his intentions.

Source: ElectionGuide

State of emergency ends in Fiji

Posted: 05/31/2007
Fiji's military leader lifts a state of emergency imposed after he seized power in December 2006.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Pacific forum calls for Fiji poll

Posted: 03/16/2007
Foreign ministers from the Pacific Islands Forum call on Fiji's military regime to restore democracy within 18 months.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Fiji's ruler sets election date

Posted: 02/20/2007
New elections for post-coup Fiji will be held in 2010, the country's military ruler says.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Post-coup elections to be held in 2010

Posted: 02/20/2007
Commodore Frank BAINIMARAMA announced on February 20 that elections to restore the country's parliament will be organized in 2010. Elections in Fiji were last held in May last year, but only seven months later the new government was toppled in a bloodless military coup led by BAINIMARAMA. BAINIMARAMA also announced that the interim government will organize a population census to allow for a new delimitation of electoral districts in preparation for the 2010 election.

Source: ElectionGuide

Fiji coup leader sworn in as premier

Posted: 01/05/2007
SUVA (Reuters) - Fiji's military commander tightened his grip on power when he was sworn in as interim prime minister on Friday, exactly a month after his bloodless coup overthrew the South Pacific nation's elected government.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Power returned to Fiji president

Posted: 01/04/2007
Fiji's coup leader says he has restored the former president to power, though the military remains in tight control.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Ousted Fiji PM warned on unrest

Posted: 12/11/2006
Fiji's military coup leaders warn the prime minister ousted in last week's coup against "inciting unrest".

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Fiji suspended from Commonwealth

Posted: 12/08/2006
The Commonwealth suspends Fiji's membership in protest over this week's military coup.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Ex-PM warns over Fiji coup

Posted: 12/08/2006
Fiji's ousted prime minister says public anger against a military coup could force the new rulers to step down.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Opposition mounts to Fijian coup

Posted: 12/07/2006
Powerful tribal and church leaders in Fiji express growing opposition to Tuesday's military coup.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Fiji army warns against uprising, appoints interim PM

Posted: 12/06/2006
SUVA (Reuters) - Fijian troops will quickly suppress any uprising, the military chief warned on Wednesday as the country's deposed prime minister called for non-violent protests after the South Pacific nation's fourth coup in 20 years.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Fiji military stages coup, fourth in 20 years

Posted: 12/05/2006
SUVA (Reuters) - Fiji's military took over running the country in a bloodless overthrow on Tuesday after confining the elected prime minister to his home in the South Pacific island nation's fourth coup in 20 years.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Fiji military chief stages coup

Posted: 12/05/2006
Fiji's military chief says he has taken over government and dismissed elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Coup fears mount as Fiji troops block roads

Posted: 12/04/2006
SUVA (Reuters) - Heavily armed Fijian troops put up roadblocks throughout the capital on Monday night and took weapons from key police installations as fears of a fourth coup in 20 years gripped the South Pacific nation.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Fiji PM says will not resign amid coup fears

Posted: 11/01/2006
SUVA (Reuters) - Fiji Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase refused to resign on Wednesday in the face of threats from the country's military chief, warning a coup would have dire consequences for the South Pacific nation's fragile economy.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Fiji to have multi-ethnic Cabinet

Posted: 05/19/2006
Fiji's opposition Labour Party accepts posts in the new Cabinet, following the re-election of Laisenia Qarase.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Fiji PM sworn in for second term

Posted: 05/18/2006
Laisenia Qarase is sworn in for a second term as Fiji's prime minister, following his narrow election win.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

PM Qarase sworn in for a second term after the 2006 election

Posted: 05/18/2006
On May 18, incumbent Prime Minister Laiseni Qarase was sworn in for a second term in power following the narrow victory of his United Fiji Party (SDL) in the May 6-13 parliamentary elections. The Prime Minister was able to secure a working majority in the 71-seat parliament only after two independents decided to ally themselves with the 35 SDL members elected to parliament. The opposition Labor Party led by Mahendra Chaundhry obtained 31 seats, but enjoys the support of two members from the allied United Peoples' Party. In a sign of reconciliation, Mahendra Chaundhry accepted 7 seats in the 17-member cabinet to be formed by Prime Minster Qarase. Under the 1997 Constitution, any party winning 10% of parliamentary seats must be offered Cabinet posts, but the Labor leader declined a similar invitation after the 2001 election.

Source: ElectionGuide

Incumbent PM claims Fiji victory

Posted: 05/16/2006
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase claims victory in Fiji's general elections, with nearly all the votes counted.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | World | UK Edition

Counting begins in Fiji election

Posted: 05/15/2006
Counting begins after Fiji's poll, with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase confident of winning an outright majority.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Ex-Fijian PM faces mutiny charge

Posted: 05/11/2006
Ex-Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka appears in court charged with inciting a mutiny in 2000, as a general election continues.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Police investigating opposition claims against election administration

Posted: 05/11/2006
On Wednesday the Prime Minster downplayed the police investigation of opposition parties' claims against the ongoing parliamentary elections.  The opposition alleges, among other things, that around 13,000 some of its supporters were not included on the roll. Historically there have been many tensions between ethnic Indians and indigenous Fijians, who are currently in power. Elections to the country's 71-seat parliament started on Monday, May 8, and will continue through Saturday, May 12. The vote count will begin on May 14 and results are due to be announced four days later.

Source: ElectionGuide

Confident Fiji PM brushes off election complaints

Posted: 05/10/2006
SUVA, Fiji (Reuters) - Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase brushed aside on Wednesday complaints about Fiji's chaotic election, which police are investigating, and said he was confident of returning to office.

Read full story. Source: Reuters: International

Race issue central to Fiji poll

Posted: 05/06/2006
Fijians are electing a new parliament, with the racial divide and national security dominating the week-long poll.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Fiji set for May general election

Posted: 03/01/2006
Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase announces general elections to be held from 6 May to 13 May.

Read full story. Source: BBC News | Asia-Pacific | World Edition

Special By-Election Held in Fiji

Posted: 09/20/2001
A special by-election to fill the 71st seat in the Fijian parliament took place on September 20, 2001. The by-election was necessitated by the death of a candidated before the general election on August 25, 2001.

Source: ElectionGuide

Fiji Announces Results of Parliamentary Elections

Posted: 09/07/2001
The Fiji United Party (SDL) won 31 seats in the parliamentary elections held last week. The Fiji Labor Party (FLP) won 27 seats. SDL will seek to form a coalition government with other ethnic Fijian parties, including George Speight's Conservative Alliance Party.

Source: ElectionGuide

Go to top