Bainimarama disqualified to be election candidate until 2032 after conviction

Former Prime Minister and FijiFirst Party Leader, Voreqe Bainimarama will not be eligible to contest the general elections until 2032 based on the constitution following his conviction of the charge of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo today.

According to Section 56 (2) (g) of the 2013 Fijian Constitution, a person maybe a candidate for election to parliament only if the person has not at any time during the 8 years immediately before being nominated, been convicted of any offence under any law for which the maximum penalty is a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more.

In Bainimarama’s case, his charge, under the Crimes Act, carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment.

We are currently trying to speak to the Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu and FijiFirst Acting General Secretary, Faiyaz Koya.