SUVA - Ousted Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has threatened a legal challenge to Fiji's elections which may deliver an indigenous Fijian coalition including coup leader George Speight to power.
Chaudhry, whose mainly Indian Fiji Labour Party will not win enough seats to govern on its own, said yesterday that there had been massive vote-rigging in the poll. He blamed the party of his indigenous Fijian rival Laisenia Qarase, the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) for planting officials in polling booths to distort votes.
Chaudhry said corruption may have cost his party as many as five seats, and he was considering High Court action to challenge results in some seats. Qarase and Fiji election officials rejected the accusation.
The SDL seems set to strike a deal with Speight's party, the Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua party, other minor parties and independent MPs. Elected this week, Speight is still in jail waiting to face treason charges related to his coup but there are a number of ways he could remain a legitimate MP.
Qarase said yesterday that under Fiji law the President could agree to a pardon.
Final results in the elections were expected today. With 65 seats counted, both Labour and the SDL have won 27. The Conservative Alliance has six seats, with independents and minor parties winning five seats.
Counting is continuing in five seats, while elections will not begin in one constituency until later this month because one candidate died suddenly.
Qarase said last night that he was confident he would form the next Government, and he would do so without Chaudhry.
"We are ready to form the next Government and once we get a viable coalition organised we will take the next step to advise the President."
Qarase said fundamental policy differences between the SDL and Fiji Labour Party prevented the two forming a coalition. They had different policies for land ownership and the SDL advocated affirmative action for indigenous Fijians.
Qarase did not rule out a pardon for Speight as part of a coalition deal. "As far as the caretaker Government was concerned and as far as I am concerned the due process of law must take it's course in relation to George Speight and his group. I have not changed my position on that view."
The Conservative Alliance, formed after the coup by Speight supporters, confirmed it was seeking an agreement on the rebels. Leader Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure said Parliament's Speaker could grant the new MP leave to be absent until his treason trial early next year. That would pave the way for Speight to stay in jail, face his trial and even be convicted. He could then be pardoned, and remain an MP.
Both the SDL and Conservative Alliance want changes to the constitution to secure for indigenous Fijians key jobs such as Prime Minister. Both said there are provisions in law which allow the constitution to be amended with the support of Parliament.
Chaudhry said Labour was in "delicate" negotiations with smaller parties and independents, but was not yet talking with the Conservative Alliance or the SDL.
Both Qarase and Chaudhry said it was expected a coalition government would be formed by early next week.
- NZPA
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