2nd LD: Jioji Konrote elected as Fiji's next president

Fiji's parliament on Monday elected Jioji Konousi Konrote, the minister for employment, productivity and industrial relations, as the Pacific island country's next president.

In the presidential election held in parliament, Konrote, nominated by the ruling FijiFirst party, garnered 31 votes, while the opposition's candidate Ratu Epeli Ganilau received 14 votes.

As per Fiji's constitution, the prime minister and leader of the opposition each submit a presidential candidate to the speaker of parliament, who then announces the nominees to MPs before the parliament decides on the Pacific island country's next president with a majority vote.

"In accordance with Section 84 Clause 3 of the 2013 Constitution, Major General Jioji Konusi Konrote, having received the support of the majority of the members of parliament present, is appointed as the president of the Republic of Fiji by parliament," Speaker of Parliament Jiko Luveni said while making the announcement.

In line with the constitution, a presidential nominee should hold only a Fijian citizenship, have or has had a distinguished career in any aspect of national or international life, whether in the public or private sector, and should not be a member of or holds any office in any political party.

Prior to the presidential election, Konrote had resigned from the FijiFirst party and as a member of parliament, qualifying to be a nominee.

The term of outgoing President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau ends this month. Endi