September 1977 Fijian general election
Early general elections were held in Fiji between 17 and 24 September 1977.[1] They followed elections in March which resulted in a hung parliament and no party able to gain a majority. The new election resulted in a landslide win for the Alliance Party (Fiji) led by Prime Minister Kamisese Mara, which won 36 seats out of 52. It was aided by a split in the main opposition, the National Federation Party (NFP) and a decline in support for the Fijian Nationalist Party.
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Fiji |
Background
The March elections had seen the NFP win 26 seats, the Alliance 24, the Fijian Nationalist Party one and an independent one.
With divisions apparent in the NFP, Governor-General George Cakobau asked Alliance Party leader and incumbent Prime Minister Kamisese Mara to form a government, claiming that Mara was able to command a majority. However, in June the Alliance Party attempted to pass a motion of confidence in the government but lost as the sole Fijian Nationalist Party MP voted against. At the end of June Cakobau dissolved parliament, resulting in fresh elections being held.
Prior to the elections, the NFP openly split in two, with the faction of leader Sidiq Koya and a rival NFP group running against each other in 24 seats. Koya's faction was symbolised by a dove, with the rival faction using a hibiscus flower[2]
In August Fijian Nationalist Party leader Sakeasi Butadroka was given a six month jail sentence for inciting racial hatred.[2]
Results
Koya lost his seat to a rival NFP candidate Jai Ram Reddy.[2] Sole independent MP Osea Gavidi was narrowly re-elected, with five Alliance MPs being elected unopposed.[2]
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance Party | 378,349 | 52.2 | 36 | +12 |
| National Federation Party–Flower | 171,508 | 23.7 | 12 | –11 |
| National Federation Party–Dove | 149,305 | 20.6 | 3 | |
| Fijian Nationalist Party | 18,854 | 2.6 | 0 | –1 |
| Independents | 6,228 | 0.9 | 1 | 0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 51,713 | – | – | – |
| Total | 775,957 | 100 | 52 | 0 |
| Total ballots cast | 201,245 | – | – | – |
| Registered voters/turnout | 287,081 | 73.8 | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | ||||
Aftermath
Following the elections, Mara appointed a twelve-member cabinet.[2] Jai Ram Reddy became Leader of the Opposition.[3]
| Position | Minister |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs | Kamisese Mara |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Fijian Affairs and Rural Development | Penaia Ganilau |
| Attorney General | Vijay R. Singh |
| Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries | Charles Walker |
| Minister of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives | Mohammed Ramzan |
| Minister of Education and Sport | Semesa Sikivou |
| Minister of Finance | Charles Stinson |
| Minister of Health | Ted Beddoes |
| Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Immigration | David Toganivalu |
| Minister of Tourism, Transport and Civil Aviation | Tomasi Vakatora |
| Minister of Urban Development and Housing | Jonati Mavoa |
| Minister of Works and Communications | James Shankar Singh |
| Minister of State for Co-operatives | Livai Nasilivata |
| Minister of State for Forests | Josaia Tavaiqia |
| Minister of State for Information | William Toganivalu |
| Minister of State for Lands and Mineral Resources | Militoni Leweniqila |
| Minister of State for Home Affairs | Solomone Momoivalu |
| Minister of State for Youth and Sport | Vivekanand Sharma |
Bill Clark later became Minister of Lands and Minerals and Sakiasi Waqanivavalagi became Minister of Youth and Sport.
In a cabinet reshuffle in January 1981, Clark became Minister of Energy, David Toganivalu became Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Ramzan became Minister of Health, Tomasi Vakatora became Minister of Labour, Industry Relations and Immigration, Ted Beddoes became Minister of Tourism, transport and Civil Aviation and Waqanivavalagi added Lands and Mineral Resources to his Youth and Sport portfolio.[4]
References
- Nohlen, D, Grotz, F & Hartmann, C (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p653 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
- Overwhelming win for Alliance in Fiji general election Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1977, pp19–20
- Fiji breathes a sigh of relief after poll Pacific Islands Monthly, December 1977, p10
- Fiji minitry is changed Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1981, pp31–32
