National Federation Party MP, Deputy Speaker and Assistant Minister Lenora Qereqeretabua has highlighted the challenges new political parties face in securing representation in Parliament, saying Fiji’s five per cent electoral threshold requires broad nationwide support rather than enthusiasm alone.
In a social media post, Ms Qereqeretabua said the issue was important amid discussions about the formation of new political parties.
“Under Fiji’s electoral system, a party must win at least five per cent of all valid votes cast nationwide before it qualifies for any seats,” she said.
She noted that parties required about 22,927 votes in the 2018 General Election and about 23,696 votes in the 2022 General Election to reach the threshold.
Ms Qereqeretabua said several parties in the 2022 election received thousands of votes but failed to win parliamentary representation because they did not meet the minimum requirement.
She also pointed out that Social Democratic Liberal Party, an established political party, exceeded the threshold by only 476 votes.
“Starting a new party isn’t impossible. But it takes far more than enthusiasm, a logo, and social media,” she wrote.
“It requires building a credible national movement capable of earning the support of around 24,000 Fijians.”
Ms Qereqeretabua said this was the reality of Fiji’s five per cent electoral threshold for parties seeking representation in Parliament.
