Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj has criticised Minister Filimone Vosarogo’s remarks on parliamentary numbers, saying attempts to use “maths” to delegitimise the Opposition are legally flawed and undermine constitutional safeguards.
In a statement, Mr Maharaj said the Constitution and electoral laws are clear on how Members of Parliament hold their seats.
“Minister Vosarogo’s attempt to use ‘math’ to delegitimise the Opposition is not only ‘entertaining,’ as he puts it, but legally flawed. Under the 2013 Constitution and the Electoral Act, a Member of Parliament’s seat is secured by the voters of Fiji.”
He rejected claims that MPs lose their mandate if their original party is deregistered or if they distance themselves from former leaders.
“This is a dangerous distortion of the law. If we follow the Minister’s logic, any MP who changes focus or whose party structure changes would be ousted.”
Mr Maharaj said the law intentionally protects parliamentary tenure to prevent political interference.
“The law preserves our tenure precisely to prevent the Executive from using political technicalities to silence the Opposition. We are here because the people put us here.”
Addressing the Minister’s comparison of vote totals, Mr Maharaj said popularity does not override legal accountability.
“The Minister boasts about the Prime Minister’s 77,748 votes. While those numbers are a matter of record, popularity is not a substitute for the rule of law. A high vote count does not grant immunity from administrative or legal scrutiny.”
He said calls for the Prime Minister to step aside during legal proceedings are about maintaining parliamentary integrity.
“This is not a popularity contest. It is about parliamentary integrity.”
Mr Maharaj also criticised the Minister’s understanding of the D’Hondt system.
“By comparing votes in this way, the Minister displays a simple lack of understanding of the D’Hondt system. It ensures proportional representation; it does not create a class system in Parliament.”
He described it as hypocritical to argue that MPs aligned with government are “fine” while Opposition MPs are questioned.
“The law is not a tool to be used only when it favours the Government’s numbers.”
Mr Maharaj said the Opposition would not be intimidated.
“We will continue to occupy our seats and perform our constitutional duties given to us by the voters, and which no Minister can take away through a media release.”
