Close to 2000 members out of the 4917 Fiji Teachers Union membership cast their votes at this year’s National Election, the Fijian Elections Office confirmed.

According to FTU, as of 6pm last night the provisional results were: FTU National President Muniappa Goundar had 1347 votes while General Secretary Agni Deo Singh had 1443 votes, signalling a clear victory for another term in office.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun last night, Mr Singh said they are humbled by the overwhelming support received from members who took time out to vote.

“We were always confident because we have delivered during our term and we knew the members were appreciative of that. We have plans moving forward. While we already have a list of achievements there are some very contentious issues that we need to address with the Ministry of Education and we want to get into business straight away,” Mr Singh said.

General Secretary Agni Deo Singh with his wife Sadhana Singh.

“We also wish to thank those who contested the election, our colleagues who have not made it for putting us to the test. It is a healthy sign that there are elections.”

The first agenda on the table for the FTU leadership is the 91st Annual Conference which is scheduled for the first week of the school holidays.

The Union also has pending issues to address like the teachers job evaluation exercise, restoration of the executive teachers and counsellor positions, pay increment and boarding and location allowances for members.

Mr Singh said although FTU is the biggest union in the country with close to 5000 members, there are teachers who are not part of any union that they would like to rope in.

FTU is in the process of establishing a Youth Wing which will be discussed in the next AGM.

“We want to see that our youth members participate more actively in decision making for the union. We have youth empowerment programmes at the district levels also to create enthusiasm in younger people and as part of our succession plan so that we prepare leaders to take over as senior leaders exit.”

Assistant general secretary Rajnesh Lingam who got the highest votes out of all the candidates (1560 votes) encouraged members to support their office holders and vowed to keep fighting for members rights.

Mr Lingam, who has been holding the fort of Assistant General Secretary for 9 years was overwhelmed with the result and the faith that the membership had in him, including the National Executive.

He acknowledged his wife Madhu Lingam, dad Ram Lingam, late mother Pushpa Lingam, brother Rohit Lingam and his opposing candidate Mohammed Masud.

These are the candidates that have been declared winners as per the provisional results released by the Fijian Elections Office.

Edited by Selita Rabuku 

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