Peni Matanisiga, 27, is the youngest provisional candidate named so far to contest in the 2022 General Election.

His name surfaced when the Unity Fiji party announced its first batch of candidates last week in Suva.

“There is no youth representation in Parliament and that is why I want to stand in the election,” he said.

“It is different when a youth represents youths in Parliament, and it ensures that our views as young people are recognised.”

While the plan to join the political space was intended for later in life, he said seeing the voices of youth not well represented, he decided to take action.

“I want to focus on youth employment availability and their education as well. Some youths go back to the village because they were not presented with the opportunity in their field – I want to step in and do that for them,” he said.

Mr Matanisiga is a final-year student at the University of the South Pacific, pursuing a double major in Politics, International Affairs and Sociology.

He works as the party’s media relations officer.

He encouraged youths to take part in the election because there was a need for their voices to be heard.

“Do not say that only the elders know better and that they must make decisions. If you have the capability to do so, why not?” he said.

The Batiri, Nadroga native said the changes he wanted were being represented by the party he was in.

“The party is led by a man (Savenaca Narube) who knows the change that we need,” he said.

“I support Mr Narube because he is the right person to improve our economic status.”

The party will announce the second batch of its provisional candidates soon and will only release its manifesto once the election date is announced.

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