Former independent candidate and Social Democratic Liberal Party candidate, Josefa Dulakiverata knew he had to give back to the country. That was why he stood in the national elections.

Now, Mr Dulakiverata, a private land valuer, is among  15 SODELPA members forming the Opposition in the new Parliament with three other members from the National Federation Party.

“I contested in 2006 as an independent and now for SODELPA. I think I have some things to give back to the people and I want to help,” he said.

“I feel good I have a seat and my aim now is to see that justice prevails and all the things the government has been doing at the moment will help build a new Fiji.” He said the campaign period was good, tiresome and very expensive.

The Fiji Sun gathered that the average cost of a campaign was about $20,000 t0 $30,000 per candidate.

Mr Dulakiverata said he stood for Tailevu North even though there was now one constituency under the new electoral system.

He said he would soon be going back to his voters to thank them for their support.

“I’ve promised them that after the results of the elections, I will come back and thank them. I dedicate this win to God, my family and my friends. My daughter actually came down from Australia to support me.”

He added that he would stand by what the party thought was right and they would pursue that in Parliament.

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