Members of the opposition still trying to serve petition papers to FijiFirst parliamentarians

Members of the opposition including National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad, SODELPA General Secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi and others with the assistance of their bailiffs tried a few times to serve the election petition papers to FijiFirst parliamentarians at Suvavou House yesterday but they have been unsuccessful so far.

SODELPA parliamentarians Lynda Tabuya and Niko Nawaikula were also outside Suvavou House as they awaited the FijiFirst parliamentarians to finish a meeting on Level 9 at Suvavou House.

SODELPA parliamentarians Lynda Tabuya and Niko Nawaikula outside Suvavou House

Tabuya says they tried to go to the meeting venue however they were told that they cannot go there.

The bailiff says he has also been waiting at Suvavou House since 9am yesterday however he has not been able to file the papers.

There was also a fire alarm triggered at lunch time yesterday at Suvavou House.

The Bailiff waiting outside Suvavou House

The National Fire Authority confirmed that it was a false alarm.

The parliamentarians did not have to evacuate the building.

The opposition members and the bailiff waited for the parliamentarians to come out so that they could serve the papers.

NFP Leader Biman Prasad and SODELPA General Secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi at Suvavou House Level 7

The High Court had given SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka and NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad until yesterday afternoon to serve the election petition to the 26 FijiFirst parliamentarians and Faiyaz Koya.

The petition deals with issues arising out of the conduct, count and tallying of results in the 2018 General Election.

Rabuka and Prasad have said that the matters raised in the petition include claims of unlawful conduct by election candidates under the Electoral Act and alleged breaches by the Supervisor of Elections of his duties under the Electoral Act.

Rabuka and Prasad’s lawyers will confirm in the High Court at 11am today on whether they have managed to serve the papers to the parliamentarians and Faiyaz Koya.

They have only managed to serve the papers to the Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem so far.