13 Oct 2015

Fiji opposition calls for special sitting over presidency

9:15 pm on 13 October 2015

The opposition in Fiji has called for a special sitting of Parliament to contest Jioji Konrote's eligibility as President.

Fiji President Jioji Konrote

Fiji President Jioji Konrote Photo: supplied

Major General Konrote, who has resigned from his post as a government minister, was elected by parliament to the post on Monday.

FBC News reports the opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has petititoned the outgoing President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to summon a special sitting to determine whether there can be a referendum to vailidate the vote.

The opposition has argued the former diplomat and military leader was ineligible for the job as he is still a member of the FijiFirst party, despite tendering his resignation.

The three members of the National Federation Party abstained from voting as they said they did not want to be part of what they call a partisan process.

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