FijiFirst named a strong line-up yesterday, which includes 11 women who will contest the upcoming 2018 General Elections under the banner of the ruling party.

Setting the benchmark for other political parties to follow, the women range from successful entrepreneurs to teachers including the only Hindu female priest in the country.

In the 2014 General Election, FijiFirst had nine women candidates.

FijiFirst has also become the first political party to name their entire line-up at once.

Leading the new faces are Lisi Naziah Tora Ali, owner of Mai Life Magazine, Mai Life Café and a well-known advocate for women and children issues.

Joining her is lawyer and climate change advocate Anne Dunn, who is also the former Miss Vodafone Hibiscus and Miss South Pacific. Vinay Vikashni Lata is the only Hindu female priest in the country who has been known to break the barriers in the Hindu community while conducting Hindu rituals.

Former English language teacher of Natabua High School Ivamere Rokoduna Saunaqali also joined team FijiFirst. Media personality Ateca Ledua joins another young candidate – Susana Tuilau – who is also a businesswoman and runs a successful beekeeping company.

Long-time activist for consumer rights and former chief executive officer of Consumer Council of Fiji, Premila Kumar, is also one of the 11 women announced.

These new women provisional candidates join current women party members Rosy Akbar (Minister for Health and Medical Services), Mereseini Vuniwaqa (Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation) and Veena Bhatnagar (Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation).

Both SODELPA and National Federation Party have announced seven women in their line-up only.

The FijiFirst provisional candidates are:

1. Josaia Voreqe

Bainimarama;

2. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum;

3. Alexander David O’Connor;

4. Alipate Tuicolo;

5. Alvick Avhikrit Maharaj;

6. Anne Dunn;

7. Arvin Kumar Singh;

8. Ashneel Sudhakar;

9. Ateca Laveti Mina Ledua;

10. Christopher Takalaiyale Waqa;

11. Brij Lal;

12. Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete;

13. Dr. Joseph Veramo;

14. Mahendra Reddy;

15. Dr. Penioni Koliniwai Ravunawa;

16. Dr. Salik Ram Govind;

17. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya;

18. George Vegnathan;

19. Howard Robin Thomas Politini;

20. IIiesa Delana;

21. IIisoni Galala;

22. Inia Batikoto Seruiratu;

23. Ivamere Rokoduna

Saunaqali;

24. Jale Sigarara;

25. Joape Mudre Nalatu;

26. Jone Usamate;

27. Joseph Nitya Nand;

28. Kelepi Funilagi

Gadekivuda Gucake;

29. Lisi Naziah Tora Ali;

30. Mataiasi Akauola

Niumataiwalu;

31. Mereseini Rakuita

Vuniwaqa;

32. Orisi Vuira;

33. Osea Naiqamu;

34. Peceli Baleikorocau;

35. Peni Vakabara

Ratumaitavuki;

36. Parveen Kumar Bala;

37. Premila Kumar;

38. Reginald Manor Kant Jokhan;

39. Rohit Ritesh Sharma;

40. Rosy Sofia Akbar;

41. Sachida Nand;

42. Selai Adimaitoga;

43. Semi Tuleca

Koroilavesau;

44. Susana Hirst Tuilau;

45. Vatimosi Rokotinasau;

46. Veena Kumar Bhatnagar;

47. Viam Pillay;

48. Vijay Nath;

49. Vijendra Prakash;

50. Vinay Vikashni Lata; and

51. Virendra Lal.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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