Bainimarama in lead after Fiji polls close

UPDATED: Counting has been completed in provisional results from all polling booths in the Fijian election, confirming Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji First party (FFP) commanding 60% of the total.

Next is the mainly indigenous i-Taukei Sodelpa party with 26.71%. Radio New Zealand's correspndent in Suva reports the minor parties are surprised by the size of the majority and blames anomalies in the Prime Minister's campaigning in violation of the rules and tampered ballot boxes.

However, no concerns have been reported by the international monitors. Final counting is continuing and a result won't be known until September 21 at the earliest.

Earlier report:

Quick count results from Fiji’s general election place junta leader Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji First party (FFP) firmly in the lead.

Adm Bainimarama’s FFP gained a commanding advantage early in the election process, despite predictions the party may need to form a coalition government to secure power.

His party clocked in with a preliminary total of 60.16%, while the mainly indigenous i-Taukei SDELPA party is in second place with 26.71%.

The September 17 election was Fiji’s first democratic experiment since a military coup – led by Admiral Bainimarama in 2006 – toppled the previous government.

The country was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2009 when the junta failed to conduct democratic elections that year.

The final results of yesterday's election will not be officially collated until at least September 21, but if the present fraction proves accurate Adm Bainimarama’s party is set to occupy 30 parliamentary seats out of a possible 50.

More than 90 international observers are in Fiji to monitor the elections, including New Zealand’s foreign minister Murray McCully.

According to government reports, the Fijian army was not involved in the elections aside from providing protection at polling stations.

Early reports suggest the election process followed international democratic standards but as with the election results, the final verdict on the transparency and relative freedom of the elections is due later in the week.

Seven political parties and two independent candidates are standing for representation in the Pacific Island country’s next government.

Under the Fijian constitution, a government must be formed within 17 days of the election. A coalition of several minor parties is still a possibility.

nsmith@nbr.co.nz