POLITICS NFP Congratulates FijiFirst, Despite Reservations
Based on the official 2018 General Election results, it is appropriate to congratulate the FijiFirst Party for its lead in the polls, says National Federation Party (NFP) leader Biman Prasad.
At a press conference yesterday, Mr Prasad said he would present the results to the NFP Management Board when they meet next week so they could consider their future direction thereafter.
“At some point in time in the near future, the right thing for me to do is to put my own leadership on the table,” he said.
About his political future, Mr Prasad said he has not made any decision yet and would consult the party leadership and supporters first.
Mr Prasad also mentioned that the election may be over, but the scrutiny of the election count was not.
“When there is a result as close as this one, we owe it to our supporters and to the country to ensure that it is correct.
“The official result is that the FijiFirst Party has won the election. We of course respect that result. We are looking carefully at it. “If a legal challenge is merited we will bring one. But if it is not merited, we will not. “We are looking at the evidence and taking advice.”
Mr Prasad acknowledged the great restraint and tolerance demonstrated by all its people - both during the campaign and during the balloting.
“It is a real credit to them. I ask everyone to maintain that same calmness and unity,
Biman Prasad National Federation Party (NFP) leader
whatever the final result proves to be. Whatever we feel about the current election outcome, instability and division would be worse.”
He said NFP did not get the result they wanted.
“We increased our share of the popular vote but we fell a few votes short of increasing our numbers in Parliament. We will continue to fight, inside Parliament and out, for better wages for our workers, a lower cost of living, better housing, fair prices for our farmers, better education and health and better opportunities for our youth. That does not change with the election result,” Mr Prasad said.
“Our time will come.”
He added that the results of this election meant that it was only a matter of time.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa