SODELPA runs into queries on Namoli venue for AGM

But Adi Litia says party will not comment on speculative questions from faceless members

SODELPA has declined to respond to some members who have questioned the choice of Lautoka as the venue of the party’s next annual general meeting. The AGM will be held at the Namoli Village Hall at 10am on June 30.

The party’s general secretary, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, said in an email response to questions sent to her: “The party will not respond to speculative questions from faceless members whom the Fiji Sun claims to have spoken to.

“The party is a democratic entity and there are mechanisms within its Constitution for members to raise their views.”

It is understood this is the first time the AGM is being held outside of Suva. Some members claimed this was a ploy to restrict the number of members from the Tailevu, Naitasiri and Rewa corridor to attend the meeting.

They said they were planning to ask questions on party leadership, finances and policies moving forward towards the election.

They said because of the cost of travelling to the West not many would turn up. They also claimed that the venue was chosen because it had strong support for party leader Sitiveni Rabuka and provisional candidate Lynda Tabuya.

The turnout from members in Tailevu, Naitasiri and Rewa could be low.

It is not clear what positions will be up for election. But there is a motion to increase the number of vice-presidents from three to five.

Three were elected last December, Anare Jale, Ro Dona Takalaiyale and Vijay Singh. But Mr Singh was forced to resign by SODELPA after the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, ruled that he had breached the Political Parties Act.

Mr Singh had not resigned from the People’s Democratic Party when he was elected. He is now a registered SODELPA member after he resigned from PDP. He is expected to be re-elected.

Savenaca Kamikamica, who lost narrowly in December, is also expected to be elected as the fourth VP. Ms Tabuya has been speculated as the fifth candidate who would likely to be elected.

She has a fan base in the west after her prominent role in the ATS workers’ strike and their big march through Nadi town. But some members claim the VP numbers would consolidate support for some in the party. Edited by Ranoba Baoa

The turnout from members in Tailevu, Naitasiri and Rewa could be low