Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has challenged National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad to provide evidence that the 2018 General Election was rigged.

Mr Bainimarama’s comments follow claims made by Mr Prasad about a FijiFirst parliamentarian who, while under the influence of liquor at a hotel told his friends that the 2018 election was rigged.

In an exclusive interview, Mr Bainimarama said he would issue a statement once Mr Prasad provided evidence that the 2018 General Election was rigged.

Meanwhile, Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem said Mr Prasad used his parliamentary privilege to claim in parliament that the 2018 General Election was rigged.

NFL Leader’s Claims:

Mr Prasad said he would name the FijiFirst parliamentarian in Parliament, possibly today. He initially did not want to name the member but was urged by Government parliamentarians from across the floor to name the MP, if Mr Prasad was speaking the truth.

After being goaded, Mr Prasad reluctantly said he would name the MP later in the week.

“I do not want to name the honourable member, but he was drunk somewhere in one of the hotels and he said to his friends, we will win again,” Mr Prasad said.

“This is what a government member is telling his friends.” When interjected by government members to reveal the name of the government parliamentarian, he told them he will name the MP when they debate the Electoral Amendment Bill in Parliament. The Bill will to be debated today.

Prime Minister’s Challenge:

Mr Bainimarama said Mr Prasad was fond of making false allegations and claims in Parliament.

“Tell him to come with substantial evidence that the 2018 General Election was rigged,” he said.

He said such claims made by Mr Prasad was dangerous for the stability of this country.

Mr Saneem

Mr Saneem said he only responds to election matters that are within the ambit of the Fijian Elections Office.

Parliamentary privilege refers to the protections that the parliament enjoys from outside inference in its work but it is not a special honour or favour to MPs.

Section 73 of our Constitution provides the protection of parliamentary privilege to every Member of Parliament by guaranteeing that MPs have “freedom of speech and debate in Parliament”.

This freedom is defined as “parliamentary privilege and immunity in respect of anything said in Parliament or its committees.

“I have no comments on peoples’ comments or members of parliament’s comments on immunity, I am not a member of parliament I only respond to election matters and election matters that are within the ambit of the Fijian Elections Office,” he said.

Feedback: nacanieli@fijisun.com.fj