Provisional results show close race in Fiji national election

Elections officials at the National Results Centre in Suva. Picture: SEMI MALAKI/WANSOLWARA

By WANSOLWARA STAFF

The count is on and early indications point to a close race between the Social Democratic Liberal Party and the FijiFirst Party.

As the 2018 General Election came to a close 6pm today, all eyes were on the announcements being made from the National Results Centre at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva.

At 8.36pm, Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem announced the first set of provisional results, which were also available for public viewing via the FEO App for smartphones.

Mr Saneem said the FEO App could be downloaded from Google Play or Apple Store and accessed on smartphones.

The first set of provisional results were released from 11 out of 2170 stations counted and saw Sitiveni Rabuka taking the lead with 236 votes followed by Atonio Lalabalavu with 155, Jone Seniloli with 144, Mitieli Bulanauca with 117 and Josaia Bainimarama on 108.

Around 9pm, Deputy Supervisor of Elections Karyl Winter provided the second update on the provisional results for the 2018 General Election.

From the 39 stations counted, provisional results by parties were as follows:

• Social Democratic Liberal Party – 2275 (47.39%)
• FijiFirst – 2204 (45.91%)
• National Federation Party – 209 (4.35%)
• Unity Fiji – 51 (1.06%)
• Fiji Labour Party – 35 (0.73%)
• Humanity Opportunity Prosperity Equality – 156 (0.70%)

As of 9.18pm tonight, SODELPA maintained its lead after 143 out of 2170 stations were counted. The results are as follows:

• Social Democratic Liberal Party – 10,800 (48.73%)
• FijiFirst – 9499 (42.86%)
• National Federation Party – 1235 (5.57%)
• Unity Fiji – 341 (1.54%)
• Fiji Labour Party – 131 (0.59%)
• Humanity Opportunity Prosperity Equality – 156 (0.70%)

The Fijian Elections Office will provide updates of provisional results every half hour until midnight, and every hour thereafter until 7am tomorrow.