First-timer Balmindar Singh made his way into Parliament on a FijiFirst ticket.

An elated Mr Singh said he was now looking forward to contributing to the welfare of the country.

“With the election over, the concentration is now on implementing our policies and fulfilling our promises as per the FijiFirst manifesto,” he said.

Mr Singh says hard work had really paid off.

“It was tiring days and nights but finally it had come to fruition through our victory at the polls.”

Mr Singh says his priority areas would be on water, sanitation and agriculture as these were of great concern.

Mr Singh worked at the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption before deciding to enter politics.

He has a Masters in Commerce and a Masters in Business Administration and has also been actively involved in various community- based organisations.

The 43-year-old is married and has three children. He says his family was taken aback when he decided to join politics.

“At first they asked me whether I was going to take that risk of entering politics,” Mr Singh recalled.

“That’s when I told them that life was a risk and at a point in time we have to take the risk, whether it was now or later.”

So Mr Singh embarked on the journey of passing the message across to the people and managed to win their hearts.

“I am thankful for the teamwork, to all supporters who voted and also to all who didn’t,” he said.

“It is time that we all come together, hand in hand for an inclusive community for all.”

He also congratulated Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and thanked him for his support and encouraging words.

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