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Indirect presidential elections were held in Fiji on 22 October 2021, in which members of parliament elected the president.
Wiliame Katonivere was nominated as the FijiFirst government's candidate by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama,[1] while Teimumu Kepa was nominated by Opposition Whip Lynda Tabuya.[2] Katonivere was able to gain the support of a majority of MPs in the first round of voting, defeating Kepa by 28 votes to 23.[3] An opposition MP, Mosese Bulitavu of SODELPA, also voted for Katonivere.[4]
Two former prime ministers weighed in on the appointment; Mahendra Chaudhry called on the nominees to be disqualified, citing Section 83 (1) (c) of the 2013 constitution, which requires that the holder of the office not be affiliated with any political party as Katonivere was the incumbent president of FijiFirst party, and Kepa was a member of SODELPA. Meanwhile Sitiveni Rabuka praised Katonivere's appointment, adding that it showed that the people still have respect for the chiefly system of Fiji.[1]
- ^ a b "Rabuka lauds appointment of Fiji's new head of State". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Ratu Wiliame Katonivere is Fiji's next President". Fiji Village. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Tui Macuata Is President Elect". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "I voted for Ratu Wiliame Katonivere to be the next President to represent the wishes of those that had sent me to Parliament both in 2014 and 2018 - Bulitavu". Fiji Village. Retrieved 2021-10-23.