1966 Fijian general election

Politics of Fiji
show Constitution History
show Executive President Jioji Konrote Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama Cabinet Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Leader of the Opposition Naiqama Lalabalavu
show Legislative Parliament Speaker: Epeli Nailatikau
show Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Kamal Kumar Court of Appeal High Court
show Local government Recent municipal elections 2002 2005
show Former and informal Monarchy Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council Legislative Council Great Council of Chiefs Vice-President
show Elections Electoral system Voting Constituencies Open Communal National Political parties Post-independence elections 1972 Mar 1977 Sep 1977 1982 1987 1992 1994 1999 2001 2006 2014 2018
show Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister: Frank Bainimarama Diplomatic missions of / in Fiji Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Other countries
v t

General elections were held in Fiji between 26 September and 8 October 1966,^[1] the last before independence in 1970 and the first held under universal suffrage.^[2] The result was a victory for the Alliance Party, which won 23 of the 34 elected seats. Its leader Kamisese Mara became the country's first Chief Minister the following year.

Background[]

A constitutional conference was held in London in 1965, which resulted in the Legislative Council being reorganised to consist of 36 seats; 14 for Fijians and other Pacific Islanders (two of which were nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs), 12 for Indo-Fijians and 10 for all other ethnic groups.^[2] The total number of registered voters was 156,683; 75,768 Indo-Fijians, 74,575 Fijians and 6,340 General electors.^[1]

Members of the Legislative Council were elected from two types of constituencies; communal and cross-voting, with voters being able to cast four votes each. Each voter cast a single vote in one of the 25 communal constituencies, in which they could only vote for a candidate of their own ethnicity. In the three three-seat cross-voting constituencies, voters voted for a candidate from each of the three ethnic groups.^[2]

Campaign[]

For the first time, the elections were a largely partisan event, dominated by the Fijian Alliance Party and the Indo-Fijian Federation Party.^[2] A total of 79 candidates contested the elections, three of which were women.^[3]

Results[]

By constituency[]

Aftermath[]

Following the elections, the two independents joined the Alliance Party.^[2] A new government was formed with Kamisese Mara as Leader of Government Business.^[4] The Executive Council consisted of six elected members and four civil servants.^[5]

At the first meeting of the Legislative Council on 11 November, was elected Speaker unopposed, with James Madhavan elected Deputy Speaker.^[6]

Full ministerial government was introduced on 1 September 1967. On the same day, the Federation Party MLCs walked out of the Legislative Council.^[7] After they missed three meetings, the nine Indo-Fijian communal seats were declared vacant and a series of by-elections held in 1968.

See also[]

• List of members of the Parliament of Fiji (1966–1972)

References[]