Electoral Law Reform Commission to look at 5% threshold

The Electoral Law Reform Commission will be looking at the requirement of five percent threshold to get into the Parliament.

Chair and former Chief Justice, Daniel Fatiaki and Commissioner and economist, Professor Wadan Narsey highlighted this during fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan when asked about their views on the current voting system.

The five percent threshold means political parties and independent candidates must win at least five percent of the total vote to be eligible for a seat in the Parliament.

Professor Narsey asks how can an independent candidate get 23,000 votes.

He says some very popular leaders like Savenaca Narube and Mahendra Chaudhry got thousands of votes but could not make the five percent threshold.

He says one can imagine an independent local community leader from Sigatoka, Labasa or Tavuni, could have no hope on earth of them ever getting into Parliament.

The Commissioner says there are people telling Fatikia the need to make this easier for small parties to get in.

Fatiaki and Professor Narsey are part of the Commission to review the electoral system of Fiji.

Nationwide consultations for the electoral law reform starts today at the Suva Civic Centre from 10am-2pm and then 3-6pm.

People are urged to give their opinion so that their perspective can be reflected through the electoral system.