Former FijiFirst Candidates Up in Arms, Consider Legal Options

Calls for accountability and justice have erupted among former FijiFirst candidates after the recent FICAC ruling confirmed that former party leader Voreqe Bainimarama retained legal authority when he signed the directive to sack 17 FijiFirst Members of Parliament (MPs) on 30 May 2024.

The ruling has sparked outrage from the 17 candidates who were next in line on the FijiFirst list to enter Parliament, who now argue that under the law, they should have been appointed to replace the ousted MPs.

FICAC’s finding, released earlier this week, made it clear that Bainimarama was still officially recognized as the party leader on paper at the time he issued the expulsion notices.

This confirmation, legal experts say, validates the removal of the MPs — but it also triggers the constitutional requirement for their replacements to be drawn from the party’s own list of unelected candidates, in order of their ranking at the last general election.

However, that process was never followed. Instead, the aftermath was marked by delays, public confusion, and appointments that appeared to favor certain individuals outside the established list says Riddhi Damodar, one of the candidates in line to enter Parliament.

“This situation raises serious questions about the integrity of our democratic institutions,” said Riddhi Damodar. “The law has always been clear. The next 17 should have been sworn in. Instead, those who followed the proper process were left sidelined.”

Damodar also expressed deep frustration at the broader handling of the matter, describing it as "a deep injustice — not just to the candidates involved, but to every Fijian who expects fairness, accountability, and respect for the rule of law."

In her statement, Damodar thanked Bainimarama and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for what she described as their principled leadership, noting that both men rejected the controversial parliamentary pay rise that was accepted by others.

Sources tell us that former candidates are discussing legal options.