RFMF honour

disposition, it was important that they honoured the democratic process by respecting the outcome of the votes.

“On the basis of our constitutional mandate, we are duty bound to vote. We must look at this as a duty to avoid complicity with injustice,” Major-General Kalouniwai said.

“We must remember that in not doing so, you become complicit in allowing injustice to prevail over the most vulnerable of our people. Nothing is more integral in democracy than voting.

“Let me remind you this morning that bad choices may result in unjust laws, needless conflicts and violence and calamities economic policies.

“This is a very significant moment for our nation, and I hope all of us, when we vote, we will cast our ballot prayerfully and consciously.”

The People’s Alliance (PA)

The People’s Alliance leader, Sitiveni Rabuka, a former Commander himself, said the statement by Major-General Kalouniwai was steady and straight down the line.

“He spoke like a professional general and I have a lot of respect for him,” Mr Rabuka said.

Deputy party leader Lynda Tabuya also took to Facebook to show her support for the statement made by the RFMF Commander.

SODELPA

SODELPA general secretary Lenaitasi Duru said SODELPA respected and thanked the Commander for his stand.

“We at SODELPA are happy that he has the backbone to come up with such statements and assure not only the members of the RFMF but the nation as a whole that they will respect the results of the elections and that they will uphold the law,” Mr Duru said.

“He has our respect for the statements he has made.”

All Peoples Party (APP)

All People’s Party leader Tuiloma Tawaivuna said the Commander’s statement was reassuring.

“I thank the Lord for that. That is justice. We are fed up with dictatorship rule. All the disciplinary forces including police officers and corrections officers, our army, should be given the freedom to choose whoever they want to,” Pastor Tuiloma said.

“I thank God for the commander’s life, and I pray that God will continue to use him in the future.”

Unity Fiji

Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube said the statement gave every Fijian citizen a sense of comfort.

“I must thank the commander for having that vision for Fiji to make that statement. It gives us confidence that whatever and how the people will speak in the election will actually be implemented and that is great,” Mr Narube said.

“I think he is the first Commander in recent times that has made such a statement, and that is why I thank him.”

Attempts for comments from FijiFirst, Fiji Labour Party, New Generation Party, We Unite Fiji and National Federation Party were unsuccessful when this edition went to press.