Former Member of Parliament and current Land Transport Authority (LTA) Board Chairman Inosi Kuridrani is expected to return to Parliament following the death of Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu, who passed away on June 12 after a short illness.
Rayalu, a senior member of the People’s Alliance who was widely respected for championing the needs of farmers and communities across Fiji, was laid to rest last week.
The process for replacing a Member of Parliament is set out under Section 20(1) of the Electoral Act 2014 and Section 64 of the 2013 Constitution. It begins when the Speaker of Parliament formally notifies the Electoral Commission of the vacancy. The Commission is then required to allocate the seat to the highest-ranked unelected candidate from the same party list used in the most recent general election.
Because the vacancy occurred approximately 30 months after the first sitting of Parliament in December 2022—well within the three years and six months threshold—the People’s Alliance retains the right to fill the seat. Kuridrani, the next highest-ranked unelected PAP candidate, is therefore in line to take up the post.
Although an official confirmation has yet to be made, People’s Alliance officials say preparations are underway, with documentation being collated in anticipation of his swearing-in once a date is confirmed.
Kuridrani, who is from Namatakula village in Nadroga, served in Parliament from 2018 to 2022, elected under the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) before joining the People’s Alliance before the 2022 election. During his earlier tenure, he served as Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Sugar and Waterways.
In May 2023, Kuridrani was appointed Chairman of the LTA Board.
A swearing-in date is expected to be announced in the coming days.
