Overseas Fijians eye People's Alliance party seats despite residency hurdle

Fijians living overseas have expressed interest in contesting the next general election under the People’s Alliance (PA) party banner, with applications coming from several countries.

Party general secretary Sila Balawa confirmed that expressions of interest had been received from Fijian citizens living in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

Mr Balawa said overseas-based applicants would still have to meet the required eligibility criteria before they could contest the election.

He did not disclose the number of overseas applicants. “All applications will be given proper consideration and will go through the appropriate process,” Mr Balawa said.

“They will be assessed against all the necessary criteria to determine whether they qualify.”

The eligibility of overseas-based applicants will depend on Fiji’s constitutional residential requirements.

Under the current requirement, a person must generally have lived in Fiji for at least two years immediately before nomination.

An exception applies to people who have been in Fiji for an aggregate period of at least 18 months during the last 24 months if their absence was due to official Government business or duties, or because they were holding a government position in another country.

Party leader and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed that overseas-based applicants were among more than 130 expressions of interest received by the party.

He said being included on the list did not automatically make them candidates.

“If the electoral laws are changed so that their residential qualification is favourable, then they would be able to stand,” Mr Rabuka said.

“At the moment, they are on the list and marked for final determination after we receive a ruling on their residential qualifications.”

All applicants will go through the party’s selection process, including shortlisting and interviews.

“Everybody who has expressed an interest is listed. We will then go through the various selection processes, including shortlisting.

“Those who are shortlisted will be subject to interviews.”

Mr Balawa said the majority of applications were from men, but all applicants would have to go through the selection process before a decision was made.