SODELPA reaffirms partnership
While women shine
THE 2022 Christmas will be remembered for many decades in Fiji's political history. It is appalling that the dramas surrounding the day one "glitch" of vote counting coupled friction in SODELPA has further exacerbated the situation until yesterday. Endless cheering, firecrackers, and vehicles beeping through the streets of Fiji clearly amplified victorious jubilation and freedom at last after 16 years of oppressive administration. It is an icing on the cake and an extraordinary holiday season with SODELPA, People's Alliance (PA), and National Federation Party (NFP) partnerships.
It is fair to say that SODELPA and PA/NPF discussions have been productive. It is a matter of time when Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama should concede defeat. While they have secured 26 seats, they are unable to form government.
SODELPA management thoroughly deserves a big congratulation for appointing Anare Jale to head the arduous negotiations. Jale from Ono i Lau, one of the most experienced and well-respected public servants and longstanding permanent secretaries prior to the FirstFirst government led the tough task of negotiating and breaking a deal between four key stakeholders, including his own SODELPA party members, FijiFirst, PA, and NFP. Jale maybe unfamiliar to many contemporary young public servants. He is indeed a unique charismatic leader with exceptional calibre of public diplomacy, being the former Ambassador of Fiji to the United States of America, topped with enormous understanding of public sector administration.
SODELPA's engagement with PA and NFP is indeed a defining moment for Fiji and its people. Its decision to form partnership with PA and NFP aims at uniting people which will bring profound transformative change, lasting peace, and security in Fiji. Clearly, the 2022 election has been quite competitive in which PA and NFP partnership secured more votes (n=210, 411) compared to FijiFirst (n=200,246). It is interesting to note that among the top 30 candidates who secured the most votes,
PA/NFP dominated with 20 candidates, and only 9 among FijiFirst. The candidates who lost most votes compared to the 2018 results include Bainimarama (n=30,903), Bulitavu (n=4,711), and Kumar (n=351). Unbelievably, Bainimarama who was overly confident lost more than 30,000 votes. The losers based on 2022 results are Bainimarama, Bulitavu and Kumar. Bulitavu jumped the ship however he will stay on the opposite side of the parliament perhaps for a very long time.
True winners
Two female candidates have attracted significant votes compared to the 2018 results. Tabuya and Qereqeretabua are clear winners. The power of charity, humanity and social work cannot be ignored. Sashi Kiran is the biggest winner who contested for the first time and won significant votes. Kiran has faced many obstacles and intimidation during the elections campaign. While PA is a newly formed party, it has done extremely well and is a clear favourite. Rabuka has sustained his popularity with more than 77,000 votes in both 2018 and 2022. Rabuka alone has changed the landscape of 2022 elections – he is a clear favourite with future succession of Lynda Tabuya and Manoa Kamikamica.
SODELPA's decision to partner with PA and NFP is a critical step in strategically positioning its identity and future in moving forward. There is clear evidence of a growing shift of votes to other parties. In 2022, SODELPA secured 24,172 votes representing only, 5.14 per cent compared to 181,072 (39.85 per cent) in 2018. The party has lost 156,900 votes in 2022. Women shine but more work to be done The popularity of female candidates in PA and NFP such as Lynda Tabuya, Lenora Qereqeretabua, Sashi Kiran, and Alitia Bainivalu is a significant achievement. In comparison with PA and NFP, FijiFirst only has two female candidates who have secured seats in the 2022 election with Premila Kumar losing significant votes. With 16 years in power, FijiFirst has not been able to nurture and develop a new generation of female politicians. Although the opposition has been more successful, more work is needed to have an equal or higher representation of women. 11 per cent of female representation in parliament is one of the lowest in comparison to many other developing countries. Under FijiFirst, women in opposition parties experienced intimidation and bullying by some senior ministers who went as far as commenting on the dressing code of female colleagues. The same women now shine and will proudly represent the people of Fiji. Based on the small number of women in PA and NFP who secured seats, they truly deserve ministerial positions.
An important part of ensuring gender balance in the new government is to ensure that women secure senior positions in various ministerial portfolios. Gender and ethnic diversity in government and parliament is critical to recognise diversity of ideas that represents the perspectives of women. Our policies in moving forward are for our young people who constitute 57 per cent of Fiji's population. There is no need to find experienced public servants who know the mechanics of public sector administration. Rather we need good people who can learn and provide brain power to key leaders.
The partnership between the three parties and the leaders will bring peace and stability in Fiji. There are many lessons to be learnt, and with those they will be stronger and more vigilant
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