FIJI should limit the number of political parties allowed to contest in national elections, says Serua native Seru Batibasaga.
Speaking at the Electoral Law Reform Commission public consultation in Navua, Mr Batibasaga said the country’s small population did not justify the high number of political parties currently registered.
“Fiji is a very small country. Our population is not even one million,” he said.
“Just make three parties, then you pay for Fiji.”
Mr Batibasaga compared Fiji’s situation to that of the US, noting that while the US is much larger, only two dominant parties compete at all levels of government.
He argued that too many parties in Fiji created division and confusion among voters.
“But for Fiji, only three parties should run in national elections for Fiji. Because we are a small country, and we don’t agree.
“Our population in Fiji is not even one million.”
When asked by commission chairperson Daniel Fatiaki why he had settled on the number three, Mr Batibasaga replied, “That is God’s number, and that’s why we have to have it.”
Currently, Fiji does not place any legal limit on how many political parties can register to contest national elections.
