A report from Fiji says President Ratu Josefa Iloilo is likely to nominate Bau high chief and former High Court judge, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, to be the new vice president.
Radio Legend quotes senior government officials as saying President Iloilo decided to nominate Ratu Joni after careful consideration of the advice given by the prime minister and the military commander.
The radio says others considered for the post were the speaker of the house of representatives, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the high commissioner to Malaysia, Adi Samanunu Talakuli Cakobau and the chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Ovini Bokini.
President Iloilo will table his nomination for the vice presidency in a special three-day meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs which begins on Wednesday.
The office became vacant after the resignation of the jailed former vice president Seniloli on his premature release from a four-year sentence for taking an illegal oath to become the usurper president during the coup.
The military commander, Commodore Bainimarama, earlier expressed concern that another coup tainted politician should not become vice president because that person could become president and therefore commander-in-chief of the military.
