Outspoken politician Niko Nawaikula has been terminated as a Member of Parliament.

Speaker of Parliament Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday said Mr Nawaikula’s seat became vacant the day he was convicted on May 3, 2022.

Mr Nawaikula was convicted for giving false information to a public servant and obtaining a financial advantage of $20,201.35 from Parliament between August, 2019 and April, 2020. He is likely to be replaced by Businesswoman and politician Mere Samisoni.

While citing the Constitution, Ratu Epeli said Section 56(2) states that a person can only be a candidate if they were not convicted for any offence under any law at any time during the eight years before being nominated, with the maximum penalty being a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more.

Accordingly, Ratu Epeli said Mr Nawaikula has therefore been disqualified from being a candidate in the next election.

Leader of Opposition Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Mr Nawaikula were told of the termination on Friday, May 6, 2022.

The Electoral Commission chairman has also been notified of the same.