Bainimarama wins narrow majority
WELLINGTON: Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has held on to power with a razorthin majority.
A final count yesterday put his FijiFirst party on 50.02% of the total vote, and the Social Democratic Liberal Party, led by former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka, second on 39.85%. The National Federation Party received 7.38%.
The outcome is expected to give Fiji
First a narrow but outright majority in the country’s 51seat Parliament and Mr Bainimarama a second term.
‘‘I’m proud to become your prime minister once again,’’ Mr Bainimarama told FBC News from New Zealand, where he is attending his brother’s funeral.
Opposition members are considering challenging the result, local media have reported.
While an interim Multinational Observer Group report has called the election process credible, a row broke out between opposition parties and electoral authorities over the weekend about the release of results, which have trickled in since the vote on Wednesday.
The Fijian Elections Office has strongly denied the claims of impropriety and rejected a call to halt counting after complaints by four party leaders they had been prevented from verifying results.
Separately, the observers noted government ministers had handed out government grants during campaigning.
With a national history of military coups and two former military strongmen running (rival Rabuka himself led two coups in 1987) police earlier talked down concerns about tension after the vote.
Turnout ranged from 53% to 61% across districts, the Elections Office said earlier.
Bainimarama campaigned on a continuation of strong economic growth, relative political stability and improved social services in Fiji, and was tipped as the favourite.
However, critics have branded the 64yearold authoritarian.
Rabuka was questioned by police the weekend before the election and was still facing legal challenges from the Government only days out from the election.
Despite tourismfuelled economic growth in recent years, poverty remains widespread in Fiji and opposition leaders had promised to raise the minimum wage.
Rabuka also raised concerns about large debts owed by Fiji to China. — AAP