Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, according to the government prosecutor. Bainimarama governed the Pacific island nation for 16 years before narrowly losing an election in December.

Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, and Sitiveni Qiliho, the police commissioner, has been suspended, according to a statement from Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde.

The charges stem from an allegation made by the University of South Pacific in 2019 that the two had halted "an active police investigation" into the actions of former university employees.

Bainimarama&nbsp;made his resignation official on Wednesday (March 8), after a three-year suspension from the Fijian parliament.&nbsp;

In a statement on the Facebook page of his FijiFirst party, Bainimarama claimed that he had submitted his resignation "with immediate effect," but that he had no intention of leaving politics.

The 68-year-old had taken office in a bloodless coup in 2006 and was&nbsp;the prime minister till a fiercely contested general election in December of last year.&nbsp;

Following a speech in which the opposition leader criticised both the president and his successor, Sitiveni Rabuka, the parliament suspended Bainimarama until 2026.

The constitution, according to Bainimarama, was "being stripped away almost on a daily basis" by Rabuka's new administration, which he charged Katonivere of neglecting to defend.

Bainimarama called his three-year ban for violating parliamentary process "unwarranted and most definitely unreasonable" in a statement on Wednesday.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Kyiv denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines sabotage

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"However, the decision has been made by parliament through (a) vote and I have complied with the decision," he added.

The resignation of Bainimarama, who will continue to lead FijiFirst, ensures that his opposition party will always be able to have 26 seats in the 55-seat legislature.

"This is to ensure that we keep the three-uneven-legged stool in check," he added, referring to Rabuka's coalition government.

A FijiFirst politician will take over his parliamentary seat, and Bainimarama said that the party will designate one of his former ministers, Inia Seruiratu, as the next opposition leader at the next meeting.

He continued by saying he will continue to play an active role in national politics.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, according to the government prosecutor. Bainimarama governed the Pacific island nation for 16 years before narrowly losing an election in December.

Former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, according to the government prosecutor. Bainimarama governed the Pacific island nation for 16 years before narrowly losing an election in December. Bainimarama has been charged with abuse of authority, and Sitiveni Qiliho, the police commissioner, has been suspended, according to a statement from Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde. The charges stem from an allegation made by the University of South Pacific in 2019 that the two had halted "an active police investigation" into the actions of former university employees. Bainimarama made his resignation official on Wednesday (March 8), after a three-year suspension from the Fijian parliament. In a statement on the Facebook page of his FijiFirst party, Bainimarama claimed that he had submitted his resignation "with immediate effect," but that he had no intention of leaving politics. The 68-year-old had taken office in a bloodless coup in 2006 and was the prime minister till a fiercely contested general election in December of last year. Following a speech in which the opposition leader criticised both the president and his successor, Sitiveni Rabuka, the parliament suspended Bainimarama until 2026. The constitution, according to Bainimarama, was "being stripped away almost on a daily basis" by Rabuka's new administration, which he charged Katonivere of neglecting to defend. Bainimarama called his three-year ban for violating parliamentary process "unwarranted and most definitely unreasonable" in a statement on Wednesday. ALSO WATCH | Kyiv denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines sabotage "However, the decision has been made by parliament through (a) vote and I have complied with the decision," he added. The resignation of Bainimarama, who will continue to lead FijiFirst, ensures that his opposition party will always be able to have 26 seats in the 55-seat legislature. "This is to ensure that we keep the three-uneven-legged stool in check," he added, referring to Rabuka's coalition government. A FijiFirst politician will take over his parliamentary seat, and Bainimarama said that the party will designate one of his former ministers, Inia Seruiratu, as the next opposition leader at the next meeting. He continued by saying he will continue to play an active role in national politics. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Fiji’s former PM Bainimarama charged with abuse of office

Sitiveni Rabuka replaced Frank Bainimarama as the 12th Prime Minister of Fiji on Saturday. Fiji's parliament chose the former military commander as their new leader, which terminated Bainimarama's 16 years in power. Meanwhile, the new Fiji PM has alleged the outgoing government for enraged the citizens against his return.&nbsp;

In 2006, Bainimarama overturned the government in a military coup and claimed the title of prime minister a year later. Speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu declared that 74-year-old Rabuka succeeded Bainimarana by 28 votes to 27 in a secret parliament poll. The two-time coup leader, Rabuka, felt 'humbled' as he made his way of the parliament, Barron's reported.&nbsp;

People celebrated 'Rambo' Rabuka's triumph over Bainimarama by honking their cars outside the parliament in Suva, Fiji's capital. Suji Seam, the European Union Ambassador, also congratulated Rabuka for his victory.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fiji-poll-opposition-calls-for-halt-to-counting-threatens-to-boycott-parliament-543244">Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama fails to win majority in general election</a>

Fiji's Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa) have agreed to form a coalition government with Rabuka's party (People's Alliance) following deadlocked elections. In the wake of the national events, there were attacks on the Indian ethnic community. Thus, officials deployed the military on Suva's streets.&nbsp;

Rabuka will lead the Pacific country with a tripartite coalition between the People's Alliance, National Federation Party, and Sodelpa. However, there's a contrast of ideologies amongst them as Fiji's National Federation Party is more liberal-democratic, while, Soldepa is indigenous-focused.&nbsp;

Fear gripped the citizens of Fiji because of the government's claims of ethnic violence, followed by a military deployment. However, Bainimarama mentioned that they deployed the troops to maintain 'law and order.'

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Rabuka, the former Fijian rugby international player, made a remarkable return as he sealed a coalition accord with Fiji's kingmaker party on Friday. In the past 35 years, four coups have toppled the Fiji government.

Earlier, Sodelpa preferred the People's Alliance over Bainimarama's Fiji First. However, the country's election supervisor ruled out the vote.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sitiveni Rabuka replaced Frank Bainimarama as the 12th Prime Minister of Fiji on Saturday. Fiji's parliament chose the former military commander as their new leader, which terminated Bainimarama's 16 years in power.

Sitiveni Rabuka replaced Frank Bainimarama as the 12th Prime Minister of Fiji on Saturday. Fiji's parliament chose the former military commander as their new leader, which terminated Bainimarama's 16 years in power. Meanwhile, the new Fiji PM has alleged the outgoing government for enraged the citizens against his return. In 2006, Bainimarama overturned the government in a military coup and claimed the title of prime minister a year later. Speaker Naiqama Lalabalavu declared that 74-year-old Rabuka succeeded Bainimarana by 28 votes to 27 in a secret parliament poll. The two-time coup leader, Rabuka, felt 'humbled' as he made his way of the parliament, Barron's reported. People celebrated 'Rambo' Rabuka's triumph over Bainimarama by honking their cars outside the parliament in Suva, Fiji's capital. Suji Seam, the European Union Ambassador, also congratulated Rabuka for his victory. ALSO READ| Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama fails to win majority in general election Fiji's Social Democratic Liberal party (Sodelpa) have agreed to form a coalition government with Rabuka's party (People's Alliance) following deadlocked elections. In the wake of the national events, there were attacks on the Indian ethnic community. Thus, officials deployed the military on Suva's streets. Rabuka will lead the Pacific country with a tripartite coalition between the People's Alliance, National Federation Party, and Sodelpa. However, there's a contrast of ideologies amongst them as Fiji's National Federation Party is more liberal-democratic, while, Soldepa is indigenous-focused. Fear gripped the citizens of Fiji because of the government's claims of ethnic violence, followed by a military deployment. However, Bainimarama mentioned that they deployed the troops to maintain 'law and order.' WATCH| Former Pak PM Imran Khan's sleazy audio latest in series of leaks Rabuka, the former Fijian rugby international player, made a remarkable return as he sealed a coalition accord with Fiji's kingmaker party on Friday. In the past 35 years, four coups have toppled the Fiji government. Earlier, Sodelpa preferred the People's Alliance over Bainimarama's Fiji First. However, the country's election supervisor ruled out the vote. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Sitiveni Rabuka unseats Frank Bainimarama as Fiji's prime minister after 16 years

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama failed to win a majority in the recently concluded general election, leaving the country facing a hung parliament. Bainimarama's First party has won 26 seats which are two short of the majority needed to form the government, news agency Bloomberg reported on Sunday citing data from the Fiji Elections Office.

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama failed to win a majority in the recently concluded general election, leaving the country facing a hung parliament. Bainimarama's First party has won 26 seats which are two short of the majority needed to form the government, news agency Bloomberg reported on Sunday citing data from the Fiji Elections Office. The People’s Alliance Party secured the second position with 21 seats while the Social Democratic Liberal Party won three seats. This general election's result marked the first time since democratic polls resumed in 2014 that the Fiji First failed to secure the majority needed to form the government. ALSO READ| Fiji's biggest threat 'climate change, not conflict' According to Radio New Zealand International, Frank Bainimarama will now have to woo at least one of the other political parties into a coalition to maintain power. Bainimarama, 68, has been leading Fiji since 2006 when the then-army chief seized power in a military coup. In the 2014 election, the Fiji First won a clear majority and Bainimarama became the Prime Minister. He won again the 2018 election. With the counting of all votes concluded, the Prime Minister and the next government in Fiji will now likely be determined through party horsetrading and what could be a drawn-out negotiation process, a report by news agency AFP said on Sunday. The 2022 election marred by late-night glitch Fijians cast their votes on Wednesday to elect the government for the next four years. However, the vote counting was marred by a glitch late Wednesday night which hid the tally from the public for four hours. The interference in counting was met with widespread anger on social media. On Thursday, opposition leaders in Fiji, including two-time coup leader Sitiveni Rabuka, called for a halt to the vote counting alleging anomalies and an urgent forensic audit. The leaders threatened to boycott the next parliament if these two demands were not met. Sitiveni Rabuka, 74, former Prime Minister and one of the contenders for the top post in this election, claimed anomalies in counting and asked the military to step in. He was then hauled in for questioning by detectives. Upon being released, Rabuka told AFP the questioning was a part of the current government's effort to intimidate him. No significant concerns about conduct of poll: International observers Amid calls for a halt to the vote counting, international observers said on Friday that they had no significant concerns about the conduct of the Fiji general election. Rebekha Sharkie, one of the observers and Australian member of Parliament told AFP that no significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting were observed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama fails to win majority in general election

With the final results of the general election in Fiji still awaited, international observers said on Friday that they had no significant concerns about the conduct of the election, a day after opposition leaders called for a halt to the vote counting, alleging anomalies.&nbsp;

The situation in Fiji has been tense since voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the vote counting was marred by a glitch and provisional results were hidden from public view for four hours. The system was restored on Thursday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fiji-poll-opposition-calls-for-halt-to-counting-threatens-to-boycott-parliament-543244">Fiji poll: Oppn alleges anomalies, demands halt to counting, threatens to boycott parliament</a>

As many as six opposition parties along with one of the largest churches in Fiji said that they have lost confidence in the counting process.&nbsp;

However, international observers have disputed claims of major problems. Rebekha Sharkie, one of the observers and Australian member of Parliament told AFP on Friday that they did not observe any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting.&nbsp;

An interim report by the Multinational Observer Group found that Wednesday's glitches affected how numbers were displayed on the vote results app but did not indicate the counting system was impacted. "The error was resolved and the results app was restored after approximately four hours with corrected data," the group's report said.&nbsp;

Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, one of the contenders for the top post in this election, along with three other opposition leaders on Thursday demanded a halt to the vote counting and an urgent forensic audit. They threatened to boycott the next parliament if these demands were not met.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the ruling Fiji First party was leading the provisional results with 45.88% of votes at 7 am, ahead of the People's Alliance Party with 32.66% of votes, news agency Reuters reported. The National Federation Party had secured 9.29% of the votes. The final results of the election will be known by Sunday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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With the final results of the general election in Fiji still awaited, international observers said on Friday that they had no significant concerns about the conduct of the election, a day after opposition leaders called for a halt to the vote counting, alleging anomalies.

With the final results of the general election in Fiji still awaited, international observers said on Friday that they had no significant concerns about the conduct of the election, a day after opposition leaders called for a halt to the vote counting, alleging anomalies. The situation in Fiji has been tense since voters exercised their franchise on Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the vote counting was marred by a glitch and provisional results were hidden from public view for four hours. The system was restored on Thursday. ALSO READ | Fiji poll: Oppn alleges anomalies, demands halt to counting, threatens to boycott parliament As many as six opposition parties along with one of the largest churches in Fiji said that they have lost confidence in the counting process. However, international observers have disputed claims of major problems. Rebekha Sharkie, one of the observers and Australian member of Parliament told AFP on Friday that they did not observe any significant irregularities or issues during pre-polling, postal voting or election day voting. An interim report by the Multinational Observer Group found that Wednesday's glitches affected how numbers were displayed on the vote results app but did not indicate the counting system was impacted. "The error was resolved and the results app was restored after approximately four hours with corrected data," the group's report said. Former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, one of the contenders for the top post in this election, along with three other opposition leaders on Thursday demanded a halt to the vote counting and an urgent forensic audit. They threatened to boycott the next parliament if these demands were not met. On Thursday, the ruling Fiji First party was leading the provisional results with 45.88% of votes at 7 am, ahead of the People's Alliance Party with 32.66% of votes, news agency Reuters reported. The National Federation Party had secured 9.29% of the votes. The final results of the election will be known by Sunday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

No significant concerns about conduct of Fiji poll: International observers

In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact.

After a meeting with his counterparts deferred consideration of a sweeping trade and security communique, Yi on Monday urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims.

"China will release its own position paper on our own positions and propositions and cooperation proposals with Pacific island countries, and going forward we will continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation," he told reporters in Fiji.

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"Don't be too anxious and don't be too nervous, because the common development and prosperity of China and all the other developing countries would only mean great harmony, greater justice and greater progress of the whole world," he said.

Directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region, China is offering to radically ramp up its activities in the South Pacific.

"There has been general support from the 10 countries with which we have diplomatic relations, but of course there are some concerns on some specific issues," said China's ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-joe-biden-says-13-countries-to-join-new-asia-pacific-trade-initiative-481382">Also read |&nbsp;US President Joe Biden says 13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade initiative</a>

A draft communique and five-year action plan sent by China was opposed by Federated States of Micronesia, according to a letter leaked last week.

As a result, other nations wanted it amended or a decision delayed, an official from one Pacific country told Reuters before the meeting.

The secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said "We are all well aware of the increasing intensity of geopolitical manoeuvring in our region today. Indeed, the recent influx of high-level visits to our Blue Pacific demonstrates the increasing value that our partners, including China, must place on our collective ability to think, live, engage and deliver."&nbsp;

"Geopolitical point-scoring means less than little to anyone whose community is slipping beneath the rising seas, whose job is being lost to the pandemic, or whose family is impacted by the rapid rise in the price of commodities," said Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

With the US State Department warning South Pacific nations to be wary of "shadowy, vague deals with little transparency", Western powers have bristled against China's move into the region.

Joining the United States in urging a spurning of China's attempts to expand its security reach deep into the region, Australia's new foreign minister has also warned of the adverse "consequences" of such deals. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact.

In a major setback for China, ten Pacific island nations rebuffed China's push for a wide-ranging regional security pact on Monday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who held talks with the leaders of these nations, failed to reach an agreement regarding the security pact. After a meeting with his counterparts deferred consideration of a sweeping trade and security communique, Yi on Monday urged the Pacific region not to be "too anxious" about his country's aims. "China will release its own position paper on our own positions and propositions and cooperation proposals with Pacific island countries, and going forward we will continue to have ongoing and in-depth discussions and consultations to shape more consensus on cooperation," he told reporters in Fiji. "Don't be too anxious and don't be too nervous, because the common development and prosperity of China and all the other developing countries would only mean great harmony, greater justice and greater progress of the whole world," he said. Directly challenging the influence of the United States and its allies in the strategically vital region, China is offering to radically ramp up its activities in the South Pacific. "There has been general support from the 10 countries with which we have diplomatic relations, but of course there are some concerns on some specific issues," said China's ambassador to Fiji, Qian Bo. Also read | US President Joe Biden says 13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade initiative A draft communique and five-year action plan sent by China was opposed by Federated States of Micronesia, according to a letter leaked last week. As a result, other nations wanted it amended or a decision delayed, an official from one Pacific country told Reuters before the meeting. The secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna said "We are all well aware of the increasing intensity of geopolitical manoeuvring in our region today. Indeed, the recent influx of high-level visits to our Blue Pacific demonstrates the increasing value that our partners, including China, must place on our collective ability to think, live, engage and deliver." "Geopolitical point-scoring means less than little to anyone whose community is slipping beneath the rising seas, whose job is being lost to the pandemic, or whose family is impacted by the rapid rise in the price of commodities," said Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. With the US State Department warning South Pacific nations to be wary of "shadowy, vague deals with little transparency", Western powers have bristled against China's move into the region. Joining the United States in urging a spurning of China's attempts to expand its security reach deep into the region, Australia's new foreign minister has also warned of the adverse "consequences" of such deals. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

10 Pacific nations rebuff China's push for wide-ranging regional security pact

Fiji announced it was coronavirus free Friday after the island nation's last known infected patient was given the all-clear, continuing the Pacific's remarkable record of success against the virus.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Friday that the South Pacific island nation had just cleared the last of its 18 active patients.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Fiji has just cleared the last of our active <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> patients. 
 
And even with our testing numbers climbing by the day, it's now been 45 days since we recorded our last case. With no deaths, our recovery rate is 100%. 
 
Answered prayers, hard work, and affirmation of science!
— Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/FijiPM/status/1268646239429525504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The pacific nation with a population of 930,000 people reported its COVID-19 case in mid-March.

While fear of spread loomed large, the nation succeeded in eliminating the virus with strict isolation measures and border controls.&nbsp;

Fiji recorded its last case about 45 days back and is significantly improving&nbsp;testing day by day.&nbsp;

Initially seen as one of the most vulnerable places because of poor health infrastructure and high rates of health conditions, the pacific nation acted swiftly to fight against the pandemic.

The country was quick to shut down&nbsp;tourism trade, which largely&nbsp;contributes to its economy, in order to contain the contagion.

Fiji announced it was coronavirus free Friday after the island nation's last known infected patient was given the all-clear, continuing the Pacific's remarkable record of success against the virus.

Fiji announced it was coronavirus free Friday after the island nation's last known infected patient was given the all-clear, continuing the Pacific's remarkable record of success against the virus. Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said Friday that the South Pacific island nation had just cleared the last of its 18 active patients. Fiji has just cleared the last of our active #COVID19 patients. And even with our testing numbers climbing by the day, it's now been 45 days since we recorded our last case. With no deaths, our recovery rate is 100%. Answered prayers, hard work, and affirmation of science! — Frank Bainimarama (@FijiPM) June 4, 2020 × The pacific nation with a population of 930,000 people reported its COVID-19 case in mid-March. While fear of spread loomed large, the nation succeeded in eliminating the virus with strict isolation measures and border controls. Fiji recorded its last case about 45 days back and is significantly improving testing day by day. Initially seen as one of the most vulnerable places because of poor health infrastructure and high rates of health conditions, the pacific nation acted swiftly to fight against the pandemic. The country was quick to shut down tourism trade, which largely contributes to its economy, in order to contain the contagion.

Pacific nation Fiji declares itself free from coronavirus

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will stay in power for a second term as he narrowly won a general election on Sunday after voting resumed following delays due to bad weather.&nbsp;

Bainimarama`s Fiji First party led with about 50 per cent of the votes, closely followed by nearly 40 per cent for opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), according to the Fiji Elections Office (FEO).&nbsp;

Bainimarama, who has been the Prime Minister of Fiji since leading a bloodless coup in 2006, has won 27 of 51 seats, according to the electoral commission.&nbsp;

"I`m proud to become your prime minister once again," Bainimarama told FBC News from Auckland, New Zealand, where he had been attending his brother`s funeral.&nbsp;

SODELPA, which won 21 seats, and three other losing parties urged the electoral commission and the FEO to refrain from officially announcing results, saying the tally process was not transparent.&nbsp;

Fiji went to polls on Wednesday, only the second time the country has held democratic elections since 2006.

"The supervisor of elections has been in a great hurry to get the results out," Mahendra Chaudhry of the Fiji Labor Party said on Facebook Live video, along with SODELPA, National Federation Party and Unity Fiji.&nbsp;

"He (the supervisor) has, in the process, compromised the procedures and the requirement of the law, so that should be set right if this election is to have any credibility," Chaudhry said.

Elections Supervisor Mohammed Saneem said in response that the authorities had been open.&nbsp;

"The people of Fiji deserve better in terms of information. And the Fiji Elections Office is giving all the information accurately in a timely manner," Saneem said, also on Facebook Live.&nbsp;

Endorsing Saneem`s claims, election monitoring body Multinational Observer Group (MOG) said in a short interim statement on Friday that the Fijian election campaign was conducted according to international standards.&nbsp;

"We understand that there are some members of the public who have concerns about the integrity of the pre-poll ballots, and therefore we recognised the need to look closely at this process," it said.&nbsp;

"The MOG assesses that the legal framework underpinning the electoral system complies with the fundamental international principles of universal suffrage and non-discrimination."

Earlier in the week, heavy rain disrupted the election in some venues. Voting in those places was rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 17, to ensure all eligible votes were counted.&nbsp;

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will stay in power for a second term as he narrowly won a general election on Sunday after voting resumed following delays due to bad weather.

Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will stay in power for a second term as he narrowly won a general election on Sunday after voting resumed following delays due to bad weather. Bainimarama`s Fiji First party led with about 50 per cent of the votes, closely followed by nearly 40 per cent for opposition Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), according to the Fiji Elections Office (FEO). Bainimarama, who has been the Prime Minister of Fiji since leading a bloodless coup in 2006, has won 27 of 51 seats, according to the electoral commission. "I`m proud to become your prime minister once again," Bainimarama told FBC News from Auckland, New Zealand, where he had been attending his brother`s funeral. SODELPA, which won 21 seats, and three other losing parties urged the electoral commission and the FEO to refrain from officially announcing results, saying the tally process was not transparent. Fiji went to polls on Wednesday, only the second time the country has held democratic elections since 2006. "The supervisor of elections has been in a great hurry to get the results out," Mahendra Chaudhry of the Fiji Labor Party said on Facebook Live video, along with SODELPA, National Federation Party and Unity Fiji. "He (the supervisor) has, in the process, compromised the procedures and the requirement of the law, so that should be set right if this election is to have any credibility," Chaudhry said. Elections Supervisor Mohammed Saneem said in response that the authorities had been open. "The people of Fiji deserve better in terms of information. And the Fiji Elections Office is giving all the information accurately in a timely manner," Saneem said, also on Facebook Live. Endorsing Saneem`s claims, election monitoring body Multinational Observer Group (MOG) said in a short interim statement on Friday that the Fijian election campaign was conducted according to international standards. "We understand that there are some members of the public who have concerns about the integrity of the pre-poll ballots, and therefore we recognised the need to look closely at this process," it said. "The MOG assesses that the legal framework underpinning the electoral system complies with the fundamental international principles of universal suffrage and non-discrimination." Earlier in the week, heavy rain disrupted the election in some venues. Voting in those places was rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 17, to ensure all eligible votes were counted.

Fiji prime minister narrowly wins election to serve a second term

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert.

The storm was brewing east of Vanuatu and was expected to strengthen as it neared Fiji early next week.

"The concern for the weekend is strong winds, heavy rain, flooding of low lying areas and rivers," the Fiji Meteorological Service said in a statement.

It comes a week after Cyclone Josie caused widespread flooding and left five people dead with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama blaming climate change and warning Fiji had entered a "frightening new era".

National Disaster Management Office director Anare Leweniqila told Radio New Zealand the weather system has the potential to develop into a category one cyclone.

"A cyclone warning has been issued early for the whole of the Fiji group as the tropical depression approaches the country, making people aware of the situation early," he said as heavy rain saw flood waters begin to rise again.

By noon Saturday (0000 GMT), flooding had forced hundreds of people to take shelter in evacuation centres in the north and west of Fiji.

"At about 6 am this morning, our area was flooded and we started preparing ourselves because police had arrived to take us to the evacuation centre," Laisa Vunitiko, from the village of Vulovi on Vanua Levu island, told the Fiji Times.

The Times said 490 families had taken shelter in the north while the National Disaster Management Office reported 192 people were in evacuation centres in the west.

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert

Hundreds of people were sheltering in evacuation centres as another tropical storm took aim at Fiji, officials said Saturday, as the South Pacific island nation went on high alert. The storm was brewing east of Vanuatu and was expected to strengthen as it neared Fiji early next week. "The concern for the weekend is strong winds, heavy rain, flooding of low lying areas and rivers," the Fiji Meteorological Service said in a statement. It comes a week after Cyclone Josie caused widespread flooding and left five people dead with Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama blaming climate change and warning Fiji had entered a "frightening new era". National Disaster Management Office director Anare Leweniqila told Radio New Zealand the weather system has the potential to develop into a category one cyclone. "A cyclone warning has been issued early for the whole of the Fiji group as the tropical depression approaches the country, making people aware of the situation early," he said as heavy rain saw flood waters begin to rise again. By noon Saturday (0000 GMT), flooding had forced hundreds of people to take shelter in evacuation centres in the north and west of Fiji. "At about 6 am this morning, our area was flooded and we started preparing ourselves because police had arrived to take us to the evacuation centre," Laisa Vunitiko, from the village of Vulovi on Vanua Levu island, told the Fiji Times. The Times said 490 families had taken shelter in the north while the National Disaster Management Office reported 192 people were in evacuation centres in the west.

Hundreds take shelter as Fiji braces for another cyclone