SODELPA has suffered a significant drop in fortunes in the latest Fiji Sun-Razor public opinion poll.

It has slid from 19 per cent last week to 15 per cent this week.

One thousand people, 500 in the Central Division, 300 in the Western Division and 200 in the Northern Division were asked in a face to face interview. They were asked if the election was held tomorrow, which party would they like to see govern Fiji.

SODELPA’s drop is believed to be caused by the differences between Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa and SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka on the issue of Fijian as the common name. Ro Teimumu says she has embraced Fijian as our national identity. Mr Rabuka says he has reservations and suggests Fiji Islander as an alternative name.

The difference has caused confusion among the rank and file of the party on its official position about the subject.

The National Federation Party capitalised on it and scored the biggest gain. It jumped from 5.1 per cent last week to 10 per cent this week.

The Fiji Labour Party also improved its rating from 3.7 per cent to 5 per cent.

Unity Fiji has steadily moved up in the rankings in small steps and closed the gap with FLP. From 3.1 per cent last week, it scored 4 per cent this week.

SODELPA’s decline comes as the seasawing battle between SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka and Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa continues in the preferred prime minister stakes.

Mr Rabuka has jumped in front with 14.18 per cent this week from 11.75 per cent last week. Ro Teimumu suffered a big drop from 14.61 per cent last week to 8.40 per cent.

Since the previous poll, Mr Rabuka has featured in several media forums and this may have contributed to his gains.

Ro Teimumu, on the other hand, has not been visible in public because she really has not launched her campaign yet.

Her profile will change when she goes out more to the electorate.

NFP leader Biman Prasad recorded the biggest gains. He increased from 8.61 per cent last week to 12.48 per cent this week. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama continues his big lead at 58.18 per cent.

FLP’s Aman Ravindra-Singh polled 3.51 per cent. Edited by Percy Kean

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