Chaudhry's chances of forming Govt. recede

By Amit Baruah

SUVA, SEPT. 5. Mr. George Speight, accused of treason for leading the May 2000 coup in Fiji, was elected to the country's Parliament from jail today as it became clear that Mr. Mahendra Chaudhry's Fiji Labour Party (FLP) would find it difficult to form a government again.

The Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua (SDL), led by the caretaker Prime Minister, Mr. Laisenia Qarase, and Mr. Speight's Conservative Alliance have put up a good showing - and together have won seats to be in sight of forming a possible coalition.

Mr. Chaudhry, ousted Prime Minister, retained his Ba Open seat while Mr. Qarase took the Lau Fijian Provincial seat. In the second round of counting, Mr. Speight defeated his nearest SDL candidate, polling 3,489 votes in the Tailevu North Fijian Communal seat.

Mr. Speight, who could lose his seat in Parliament if he is convicted or is unable to attend two sessions of the House of Representatives, had held Mr. Chaudhry and his Ministers hostage for 56 days from May 19, 2000, in the Parliament complex here. He appeared in a Suva court today.

Till late this evening, the Labour Party had secured 22 seats, the SDL 14, the Conservative Alliance six, and the National Federation Party, the New Labour Unity Party (NLUP) and the United General Party (UGP) one each in the 71-member House.

Meanwhile, in what seemed to be a precautionary measure, the Fijian military and police launched a combined exercise from 6 p.m. this evening to 6 a.m. tomorrow to test the ``mobility and agility'' of the security forces.

A police spokesman, Mr. Romanu Tikotikoca, said the security forces were also preparing a plan to protect the incoming Government. The military and police's interest was to ensure that the new Government served a full five-year term.

Pointing out that there was ``nothing to worry about'', Mr. Tikotikoca said the idea of the exercise, which would see checkpoints being set up, had taken lessons from the 1987 coup in Fiji as well as the events of May, 2000.

Asked whether police and military would ensure the security of Mr. Speight if he were to be taken to Parliament to be sworn in, he said a court ruling would be required if the coup leader was to take oath as a member of Parliament.

At a separate briefing, the Elections Supervisor, Mr. Walter Riggamoto, said the turnout in the current elections was 77.86 per cent, a drop of 12 per cent compared to the 90 per cent voting in May, 1999. This comes despite the fact that voting in Fiji is compulsory.

Mr. Riggamoto, asked about possible court action against the high number of invalid votes, said it could have a bearing on the formation of a new government which should take place sometime next week.

On the political prospects, analysts say the current elections have led to extremist parties gaining prominence, while the consensus 1997 Constitution was about partnership between different ethnic groups. There can be problems ahead as Mr. Qarase has repeatedly said he will not work with Mr. Chaudhry. Under the 1997 Constitution, all parties which gain more than eight seats are entitled to berths in the Cabinet.

Analysts feel parties such as the SDL and the Conservative Alliance can form a government. While the SDL, led by Mr. Qarase has made a strong bid for power, the Conservative Alliance of Mr. Speight is seen as the ``dark horse''.

If those, who believe in Fijian majoritarianism in principle, do take power, the possibility of changes in the consensus 1997 Constitution could arise. Mr. Qarase, for instance, has repeatedly said Fijians, despite being a majority here, had lost political power. In case Mr. Qarase is able to form a coalition government, it remains to be seen whether he acts on the opinions he has expressed.

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Section  : International
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