Fijian by-elections, 1968

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Fiji

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Fiji

Government Executive Executive Controller (acting President) Frank Bainimarama Vice-President (vacant) Interim Prime Minister Jona Senilagakali Cabinet Attorney-General Leader of the Opposition Legislative Parliament Senate House of Representatives Speaker Local government Municipal elections 2002 2005 Former institutions Queen of Fiji Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council Legislative Council Constitution Preamble 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Great Council of Chiefs Chairman, G.C.C. Ovini Bokini Political parties Electoral system Voting Constituencies Open Communal National Elections Parliamentary 1963 1966 1968 1972 March 1977 September 1977 1982 1987 1992 1994 1999 2001 2006 next Presidential 1992 1994 1999 2000 2001 2006 Foreign relations Diplomatic missions

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After the 1966 election, Fiji adopted a Ministerial type of Government with Ratu Kamisese Mara, of the Alliance Party, as Chief Minister and A.D. Patel, of the Federation Party, as Leader of the Opposition. Under the old Membership system, Patel had held a portfolio and there was consultation between himself and the Government, but under the new system the Government started making unilateral decisions. When the Government made no effort to reform Fiji's electoral system, A.D. Patel moved a motion on 1 September 1967, calling for a new constutional conference. When it became clear that the Government would use its massive majority to vote down the motion, the Federation members walked out of the Legislative Council.

After the nine Federation Party members missed three consecutive sittings of the Legislative Council, their seats were declared vacant and new elections called. The by-elections for the nine Indian communal constituencies resulted in wins for Federation Party candidates with increased majorities. The Federation Party captured 46,960 of the 59,786 votes cast with the Alliance Party managing only 12,826 votes.

[edit] See also

• List of parliamentary elections in Fiji