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Fiji's military ruler headed for big election win
Fiji's military ruler for the past eight years appeared to be headed to a decisive victory Thursday to become the South Pacific nation's elected leader
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iji's military ruler for the past eight years appeared to be headed to a decisive victory Thursday to become the South Pacific nation's elected leader.
With votes from three-fifths of polling stations counted, Voreqe Bainimarama's Fiji First party was winning 60 percent of the vote, while its closest rival, the Sodelpa party, was trailing with 27 percent. The margin will ensure Fiji First will be able to rule outright in the Parliament under the country's proportional system.
A day earlier, there was excitement among thousands of voters and relief from the international community as Fijians cast ballots in the landmark election they hope will end more than a quarter-century of political turmoil.
Bainimarama, who has ruled this sunny South Pacific nation since he seized control in a 2006 coup, is popular in Fiji thanks in part to his focus on social programs, increased infrastructure spending and careful cultivation of his image through media controls.
After casting his ballot, Bainimarama was asked whether he would accept the outcome if he lost.
"I'm not going to lose. I will win. You ask that question to the other party," he said. Then he added, "Of course we will accept the election results. That is what the democratic process is all about."
The 100 or so international election observers did not report any immediate problems by the time voting closed. They have scheduled a news briefing for later Thursday. A little more than half a million of the nation's 900,000 citizens registered to vote.
The international community is prepared to drop remaining sanctions once Fiji officially restores democracy, including returning it to full membership among the Commonwealth group of nations.
