Chaudhry to contest 2026 polls, confident of winning seats

Former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party (FLP) leader Mahendra Pal Chaudhry will contest the 2026 General Election and is confident of winning some seats in Parliament.

He will be travelling to Savusavu for consultation with supporters and residents today.

On the FLP official Facebook page, Mr Chaudhry, is on a Northern Division tour where he held a consultation session with people of Savusavu and would meet with Labasa residents last Saturday.

When approached about what strategies the party would implement to win seats in Parliament after missing out on winning any seats in the past three elections (2014, 2018 and 2022), Mr Chaudhry said the ground work had been done and visits to other central locations like Labasa and Savusavu were vital to understand people's emotions towards the Government.

“In Savusavu people have told me they are fed up with this Government because they have failed to deliver their promises,” he claimed.

He highlighted key topics of discussion: road development problems, unemployment, high cost of living and the Savusavu Hospital infrastructure issues.

“I am confident in winning seats this time, and gaining a voice in Parliament” he said.

The FLP had invited interested people with good character and driven with a passion of serving communities and people of Fiji with ethical approaches to submit their interest to join their party. 

Mr Chaudhry said there was good response with people of different backgrounds showing interest to join the FLP.

However, he did not reveal the names of people who showed interest in joining the party.

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) was established 40 years ago and has remained a significant force in the country’s political landscape.

Its leaders, Dr Timoci Bavadra and Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, both rose to the rank of Prime Minister—Dr Bavadra in 1987 and Mr Chaudhry in 1999, although the latter was ousted in a coup.

The party’s vote count significantly increased from 2018 to 2022, with 9,904 more votes in the last election. Mr Chaudhry believes this could be another year of gaining a substantial share of votes.

Mr Chaudhry’s support base in previous years has largely come from sugarcane farmers and workers. He has been a strong advocate for ensuring that sugarcane farmers receive fair profits.

He has consistently urged the Government to revive the sugarcane industry, citing its decline in tonnage and deteriorating mill infrastructure.