Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama believes "hard-working Fijians" want his government to "keep working for the country" as campaigning for the December 14 election heats up.
In a video message to his supporters, Bainimarama claimed most people want "what is best for families and future generations," - something his political opponents cannot deliver.
With elections just under a month out, the FijiFirst leader is under no illusion about the significance of the polls, declaring it "the most important" in the country's history.
Bainimarama is aiming to win power for the third time under the 2013 Constitution, which he imposed on the people of Fiji.
He will be leading 54 other candidates at the polls, going up against major opposition parties in the People's Alliance, the National Federation Party (NFP), and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).
Bainimarama said his political rivals' "lust for power is so great that no lie is too low for them."
"We have heard your interest in real change and real policies that take on the real challenges our people face and we have heard your interest to hear and know the truth," Bainimarama said.
"We have heard your concerns about bias in the media, and the lies and misinformation spread by opponents about our economy, which is growing faster than ever."
The former military commander, who seized power in 2006, said FijiFirst is the only party with a "plan, principles, and a proven track record of delivering".
"This will be Fiji's most important election ever," Bainimarama said.
"We know the stakes. Our recovery, our jobs, family support, strong leadership that serves everyone equally, and the level playing field we [FijiFirst] fought tooth and nail to create in our society," he said.
"All of that is on the ballot this election."
Photo: RNZ Pacific
Ministers and ex-military leaders looking to be elected
FijiFirst has nominated nine women and 46 men to contest the polls next month, and its candidate line-up for the 2022 election includes several of its MPs and ministers who entered parliament after the 2018 elections.
These include Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (Attorney-General and economy), Ifereimi Waqainabete (health), Inia Seruiratu (disaster), Praveen Bala (employment), Jone Usamate (infrastructure), Rosy Akbar (women) and Veenta Bhatnagar (Deputy Speaker).
Other big names included are the former commander of Fiji Military Forces, Viliame Naupoto, former military general and commissioner of Fiji Police and Prisons, Iowane Naivalurua, and former chief executive of the Land Transport Authority, Naisa Tuinaceva.
While on the campaign trail, Bainimarama has been telling potential voters to vote for "stability", and Sayed-Khaiyum claimed this week that if there was a change in government it will bring "instability" to the country.
But the opposition said the two men's use of "threats and fear" will not be enough to win them power for another term.
"Fiji is not Frank Bainimarama's country. It is not Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum's country. Fiji is our country. Our new government is our decision," NFP leader Biman Prasad said.
"Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum should know nothing is permanent in life. And therefore, they do not have a permanent claim to rule Fiji forever," he said.
Biman Prasad of the NFP is hoping to become the next Fijian Prime Minister Photo: RNZI/Alex Perrottet