Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is new President of Fiji after getting 37 votes in parliament

The Turaga Na Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is the new President of Fiji after getting 37 votes in parliament.

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka nominated Ratu Naiqama in parliament and his nomination was backed by all the People’s Alliance Party, National Federation Party, SODELPA and Opposition Group of 9 Members of Parliament.

Leader of the Opposition, Inia Seruiratu nominated the Chair of the Ba Provincial Council, Ratu Meli Tora Tavaiqia to be the next Head of State.

He got 16 votes from the Opposition Group of 16.

The vote was through a roll call with each Member of Parliament confirming their vote.

The votes : Bainivalu – Ratu Naiqama

Bala – Ratu Meli

Bia – Ratu Naiqama

Bulitavu – Ratu Naiqama

Chand - Ratu Meli

Ditoka – Ratu Naiqama

Gavoka – Ratu Naiqama

Immanuel – Ratu Naiqama

Kamikamica – Ratu Naiqama

Kiran – Ratu Naiqama

Koroilavesau – Ratu Meli

Koya – Ratu Meli

Premila Kumar – Ratu Meli

Shalen Kumar – Ratu Meli

Ketan Lal – Ratu Meli

Virendra Lal – Ratu Meli

Dr Lalabalavu – Ratu Naiqama

Maharaj – Ratu Meli

Naivalurua – Ratu Naiqama

Nalumisa – Ratu Naiqama

Joseph Nand – Ratu Meli

Sachida Nand – Ratu Meli

Vijay Nath – Ratu Meli

Naupoto – Ratu Naiqama

Niudamu – Ratu Naiqama

Pillay – Ratu Meli

Prof Biman Prasad – Ratu Naiqama

Radrodro – Ratu Naiqama

Ravu – Ratu Naiqama

Ravunawa – Ratu Naiqama

Rayalu – Ratu Naiqama

Rokomatu – Ratu Naiqama

Saukuru – Ratu Naiqama

Rinesh Sharma – Ratu Meli

Agni Singh – Ratu Naiqama

Charan Singh – Ratu Naiqama

Tabuya – Ratu Naiqama

Tikoduadua – Ratu Naiqama

Tubuna – Ratu Naiqama

Tuicolo – Ratu Naiqama

Tuinaceva – Ratu Naiqama

Ro Filipe Tuisawau – Ratu Naiqama

Tuiwailevu – Ratu Naiqama

Tuinabuna – Ratu Naiqama

Turaga – Ratu Naiqama

Usamate – Ratu Meli

Ratu Rakuita – Ratu Naiqama

Vanawalu – Ratu Naiqama

Vasu – Ratu Naiqama

Vocea – Ratu Naiqama

Vosarogo – Ratu Naiqama

Ratu Naiqama is President-elect, and he will remain in office as the Speaker of Parliament until the 11th of November.

The new Speaker will be elected in Parliament on December 2nd.

Deputy Speaker, Lenora Qereqeretabua presided over today’s proceedings in Parliament.