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Governance Information for Fiji Islands

Type of Government:

Republic. (Currently a Military Government)

Capital city:

Suva

Other cities:

Lautoka

Population:

931,741 (July 2008 est.)

Independence :

10 October 1970 (from UK )

Year of current Constitution:

1997

Previous constitutions:

1970, 1990

President:

Ratu Josefa Iloilo

Vice President:

Currently vacant

Prime Minister (interim) :

Frank Bainimarama

Ministers (interim):

Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum	http://www.ag.gov.fj/
Ministry of Finance, National Planning, Sugar Industry and Public Utilities (Water and Energy)
Ratu Epeli Ganilau
Dr Jiko Luveni
Mr Filipe Bole
Mr Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi
Mr Timoci Lesi Natuva	Minister for Works and Transport
Mr Tom Ricketts	Minister for Industry, Tourism, Trade and Communication
Mr Netani Sukanaivalu	Interim Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources
Mr Ratu Epeli Nailatikau	Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Co-operation and Civil Aviation
Joketani Cokanasiga	Interim Minister for Fisheries and Forests

Parliament:

Bicameral system – House of Representatives (link to parliament.gov.fj) (71 seats; 23 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for Rotumans, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms) and the Senate (link) (32 seats; 14 appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the Opposition Leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma)

Electoral System:

Alternative vote system

Most recent election:

6-13 May 2006

Previous elections:

1963, 1972, April 1977, September 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001

Political Parties:

Dodonu Ni Taukei Party (DNT)

Fiji Democratic Party (FDP)

Fijian Association Party (FAP)

New Labor Unity Party (NLUP)

Fiji Labour Party (FLP)

General Voters Party (GVP)

Girmit Heritage Party (GHP)

Justice and Freedom Party (AIM)

Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party (LFR)

National Alliance Party (NAP)

National Federation Party (NFP)

Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party (NVTLP)

Party of National Unity (PANU)

Party of the Truth (POTT)

Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL)

Sogosogo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT)

United Peoples Party (UPP)

Historical Political Parties

Alliance Party (AP)

All Nationals Congress (ANC)

Christian Democratic Alliance (VLV)

Coalition of Independent Nationals (COIN)

Fiji Democratic Party (FDP)

Fijian Nationalist Party (FNP)

National Congress of Fiji

New Labour Unity Party (NLUP)

Party of National Unity (PANU)

Protector of Fiji (BKV)

Vanua Tako Lavo Party (VTLP)

Western United Front (WUF)

Parties Contesting Municipal Elections

Lighthouse
Ratepayers' Associations
Savusavu Ratepayers and Citizens
Sunrise Party
Tavua Ratepayers, Landowners, and Tenants Association

Judicial System:

The principal courts are the magistrate's courts, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. In addition to its jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases, the High Court has special-interest jurisdiction on behalf of the public and is empowered to review alleged violations of individual rights.

Except for the family court, there are no special civilian courts. Military courts try members of the armed forces, and there is an internal police tribunal mechanism.

Defendants have the right to a public trial and to counsel. The Legal Aid Commission, supplemented by voluntary services of private attorneys, provided free counsel to some indigent defendants in criminal cases. Most cases were heard in the magistrate's courts, but a case cannot be tried in a magistrate's court without the defendant's consent. Absent such consent, cases are tried in the High Court. Trials in the High Court provide for the presence of assessors, typically three, who are similar to jurors but only advise the presiding judge. Magistrates are not authorized to impose prison sentences longer than 10 years. Sentences in the magistrate's courts in most domestic and family law cases were relatively light. Defendants enjoy a presumption of innocence and can question witnesses, present evidence on their own behalf, and access government-held evidence relevant to their case. The right of appeal exists but often was hampered by delays in the process.

The military court system provides for the same basic rights as the civilian court system, although bail is granted less frequently in the military system.

Constitutional Offices Commission Chair:

http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_11150.shtml

Chief Justice (Acting):

Gates sworn

Speaker of the House of Representatives:

Currently vacant

Auditor General:

Mr. Eroni Vatuloka

Supervisor of Elections (Acting):

Mr. Semi Matalau

Electoral Commissioner:

Mr. M. K. Sahu Khan