The general election held in Fiji on September 17, 2014 was the first non-racist election in the country’s history. Fijians have opted for orderliness rather than chaos.
There were several features of the election that set itself apart from other general elections in Fiji. It was the first election based on the 2014 Constitution that enshrined the Fijian identity for all citizens, the democratic formula of ‘one person, one vote, and ‘one value’ and provided for a secular platform.
All the three novel values were anathema to the conservative SODELPA. Their prognosis was to bring back the 1997 Constitution, retain the aristocratic oligarchy of the Chiefs and accord a favoured status to Christianity in governance.
The following is a summary of the performance of various political parties:
SODELPA
The election campaign of SODELPA was fraught with appeal to racism. Even their name, ‘Social Democratic Liberal Party’ smacked of contradictions.
Why ‘Social’ when the citizens yearned for political democracy, a classless, casteless, non-feudal and non-racial society? The euphemism that ‘race was a fact of life’ had lost its lustre. To plant a feudal Queen as the Party’s chief campaigner was an error of political judgement.
Most of the 37% votes given to the Party came from iTaukei. While the Alliance Party was able to muster about 25% of the Indian votes in the previous election, SODELPA completely lost their support this time.
A small percentage of votes given to their two Indo-Fijian candidates and Mick Beddoes, head of the General Electors, are evidence of the loss of Indo-Fijian and general elector votes. The iTaukei vote bank for SODELPA, an offshoot of the Alliance and the SDL, is not intact.
FIJI FIRST
The Fiji First Party ran a positive campaign based on the perceived leadership of Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, achievements in socio-economic infrastructure, dual citizenship, and rejection of ethnic and religious politics.
The strategy worked well and Bainimarama is expected to continue his progressive policies as promised during the election campaign.
The then Chiefly Head of the Government Rau Sir Penaia Ganilau granted immunity to former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Bainimarama obtained immunity for himself and others on his own count. His win will strengthen the role of the military within the ambit of the Constitution.
Indo-Fijians heaved a sigh of relief in the belief that they were being protected. The Machiavellian elements of policy plank and governing machinery was aptly choreographed by a group of professionals led by the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed- Khaiyum.
Indo-Fijian voters overwhelmingly voted for Fiji First, indicating that they prefer a strong leader who is perceived to provide security in an ethnically riddled society.
Fiji Labour Party
Fiji First won more votes than all other parties and independents combined, according it majority in the Fijian Parliament.
The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) and the National Federation Party did not perform well, with the former losing substantial ground, picking up just 2.5% of the votes.
Despite fielding a host of iTaukei candidates, it remained rudderless and dynastically inclined. It is not likely to achieve its lost glory. It was basically a one-man party with an unbearably long political inning.
National Federation Party
The NFP, under the new leadership of Dr Biman Prasad secured more votes than FLP. It would be magnanimous and politically apt if Bainimarama invites him singularly to be part of the cabinet. With the numbers on his side, he need not do that.
NFP has played a second fiddle in politics from the time of intra-party factional fight in mid-1970s. It is not likely to survive as a viable political party in years to come unless it rebrands itself with a fresh name and fresh people.
The other minor parties and an independent candidate failed to secure credible number of votes. With the kind of electoral voting system, minor parties and independents will remain a nuisance in politics.
ANZ & the West
Bainimarama’s victory foreshadows a win-win axiom for Fiji and the West, particularly Australasia. The ‘Look North’ policy had its pitfalls and Fiji was not completely comfortable with the influence of China.
Its relations with China did not reflect the domestic dynamics. Nudged by the military, the regime continued to forge a semblance of relations with Canberra and Wellington in spite of the sanctions. The election of Bainimarama is the beginning of warming up with the West.
Mahendra Sukhdeo, a former Fiji academic, politician and trade unionist is the author of ‘Aryan Avatars- From Prehistoric Nomads to Settlers in the Pacific,’ a new book on Fiji.
Voters queuing up at Rakiraki on September 17 (Picture by Fijian Elections Office)
