A random survey conducted by The Fiji Times yesterday found that Fijians want a President who is in touch with the community, has strong moral values and has Fiji at heart when making decisions.
A large number also said good character and a good education – or being learned and knowledgeable – should be a vital prerequisite.
Others said the president needed to be a learned man as he was seen as the symbolic embodiment of the nation.
An economist said the next head of state should understand the issues of the people, and also have the respect of the people.
“We would need a person of stature, someone who has moral values and someone who has Fiji at heart,” he said.
“He or she should be non-political in some aspect and be of good character because we want progress, and the head of state should be neutral.”
A Lautoka resident said he believed chiefly titles should not be a compulsory requirement and the successful nominee should be of good health to allow him or her to carry out the duties expected of the office.
“It does not matter whether he is a chief or a person of stature, as long as he or she has a good understanding of the people,” he said.
Others believe the president should possess qualities that makes him or her open to change, have innovative ideas on how culture and the modern world can coexist.
Those who said the president should be a people person said was important the individual was able to bring himself to grassroot level and interact with all Fijians irrespective of their religious, racial or economic background.
