In 1999, it was reported the Rotuma Council was still going to endorse a candidate for the general elections.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on March 2 of that year, the sole Rotuma communal seat was held by Home Affairs minister Paul Manueli who had not sought re-election. Noatua chief Gagaj Maraf said no one approached nor showed interest in the seat.
Mr Maraf said the chiefs had not been advised that Mr Manueli was to step down.
He said Mr Manueli had agreed in 1998 to stand in the general elections, but on a visit to the island in January, he announced his withdrawal.
“Mr Manueli said he felt the burden he was now shouldering was too much for him and that he was growing too old for politics,” said Mr Maraf.
“At the moment nothing is confirmed. “All we know is that certain people are interested, but no one has approached the council.”
According to The Fiji Times, Mr Maraf said Mr Manueli told the council the former secretary to the office of the president, Marietta Rigamoto, was interested.
It said Ms Rigamoto had confirmed she would vie for the Rotuma communal seat as an independent candidate.
Other people known to have shown interest in the seat were Kaloa Pene, the former principal of Queen Victoria School and Firipo Nakaora, a former district officer. Mr Maraf said a council meeting would be held during Mr Manueli’s visit to Rotuma later that month.
The Fiji Times reported plans were also underway to form a Rotuman political party.
The party, which had its constitution drawn up in 1998, was without a name and had yet to be registered.
Suva representative for Juju district, Susau Managreve, said the party had until March 18 to obtain 200 signatures on its registration form.
“Once this is done, the party will call on applications from interested people,” Mr Managreve said.
“The new party is to ensure that the members of parliament for Rotuma are accountable for the people of Rotuma.”
The chairman of the Suva Seven Districts Rotuman Community, John Konrote, said a meeting would be called to decide the fate of the party.
“Water Rigamoto (the then supervisor of elections) said we have until the end of this month to register the party,” Mr Konrote said.
“At the meeting, we will determine whether or not to pursue the formation of the party.”
