The seat of convicted SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula has become vacant and he has been disqualified from contesting Fiji’s 2022 General Election.
Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau clarified this in parliament this morning saying Nawaikula had been convicted with one count of tendering false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining a financial advantage and is therefore disqualified from being a candidate in the 2022 election.
“This is particularly so given that the maximum penalty for the offences that he had been convicted of is a term of imprisonment of five years and ten years respectively,” Ratu Epeli said.
“As such the honourable Nawaikula’s seat in parliament has become vacant pursuant to Section 63 (1) (D) of the Constitution which in this instant became vacaon date of his conviction being 03 May 2022,” he said.
He said a written notification was provided to Nawaikula on Friday, 06 May, 2022 and the same was conveyed to the Leader of the Opposition, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on Saturday,07 May, 2022.
Ratu Epeli also stated that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission has been notified accordingly.
SOURCE: FIJI TIMES/PACNEWS
