Background: Coups, Constitutions and Political Landscape

Fiji’s modern politics have been shaped by four coups since 1987. Sitiveni Rabuka led two in 1987, later serving as an elected PM in the 1990s. Frank Bainimarama seized power in 2006 and governed by decree until the 2013 constitution introduced a single nationwide open-list PR and ended race-based seats. FijiFirst dominated 2014 and 2018, but by 2022 the opposition space had realigned: Rabuka broke from SODELPA to form the People’s Alliance (PA) and coordinated openly with the NFP. SODELPA, once the main opposition, entered 2022 weakened yet pivotal.

Electoral Law Changes

Two changes loomed over 2022. First, a requirement that voters register under the exact name on their birth certificate, which critics said risked de facto disenfranchisement (especially for married women). Second, expanded powers for the Supervisor of Elections. Supporters framed these as integrity measures; opponents warned they entrenched state leverage.

Campaign Issues and Media Environment

“Preventing further coups was itself a campaign issue — voters were weary of instability and wanted reassurance the military would stay neutral.”

Three themes dominated: (1) the economy/cost of living and high public debt after COVID-19; (2) governance and tone—media space, rule of law, centralisation; and (3) identity and inclusion—iTaukei interests, multiracial outreach, and local government revival. A strict 48-hour media blackout reinforced the sense of a tightly regulated campaign.

Parties & Key Players (2022)

• FijiFirst (FF) — incumbency and infrastructure record; coalition-isolated; leader-centric (Bainimarama; Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum).
• People’s Alliance (PA) — Rabuka’s new party; “open the windows” reform pitch; strength and risk tied to Rabuka’s 1987 past vs reconciliation narrative.
• National Federation Party (NFP) — oldest party, led by Biman Prasad; smaller vote share, coalition-minded technocratic brand.
• SODELPA — diminished but emerged as kingmaker; internal divisions visible.

Election Day: High Turnout and a Glitch in the Count

Of ~693,915 registered voters, about 68% cast ballots. Polling ran smoothly, but the Elections Office’s results app failed during the preliminary count and later resumed showing FijiFirst ahead—triggering opposition alarm. Observers reported no material irregularities and urged parties to await the formal tally.

Results

Coalition Negotiations: SODELPA as Kingmaker

SODELPA opened talks with both sides with policy asks and portfolio guarantees. On 20 December, its management board voted 16–14 to support a PA–NFP government. On 24 December, Parliament elected Sitiveni Rabuka as PM by 28–27; a tripartite Cabinet was sworn in.

Significance and Aftermath

The 2022 election reset norms: an incumbent that dominated two cycles could be unseated through coalition politics; the military remained neutral; and institutions delivered a peaceful transfer. The coalition pledged reforms to media and institutions, and a recalibrated foreign policy.

Key personalities after the vote

• Frank Bainimarama — later suspended from Parliament (2023) and resigned his seat.
• Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum — exited government and stepped back from party leadership roles.
• Mohammed Saneem — Supervisor of Elections in 2022; departed office in 2023.
• Police & oversight posts — several senior appointments faced review or replacement.

“The coalition’s biggest tests are discipline—keeping 28 votes together—and delivery: turning a softer tone into visible improvements.”

Foreign policy & climate: Tilt toward Australia/New Zealand; continuity on climate leadership, with emphasis on transparency in adaptation spending.

What 2022 tells researchers

• Threshold effects: The 5% bar shapes coalition math as much as raw vote share.
• Leader-centric politics: FijiFirst’s floor remained high, but coalition isolation capped power.
• Institutional trajectory: Peaceful transfer suggests democratic consolidation despite a managed media space.

Verified: 2022 Elected Members of Parliament (55)

Reference: Government Gazette, 19 Dec 2022; parties as recorded for the 2022–present term.

Sources

Core references include The Guardian/AAP, RNZ, USP Journalism’s Wansolwara, Freedom House, Fiji Elections Office releases, and consolidated result summaries (IFES/Wikipedia). Images from Wikimedia Commons under the listed licenses.