Pacific / Fiji

Fiji military to monitor security leading up to elections

08:51 am on 23 February 2017

The Fiji military says it's monitoring the security landscape in Fiji in the lead up to the election next year.

Photo: AFP

The 2018 poll will be the country's second general election since the 2006 coup led by the now elected prime minister Frank Bainimarama.

The commander of Fiji's military Viliame Naupoto told FBC news there are no apparent security concerns at present but he said they'd be keeping a close watch over the country.

Mr Naupoto said police were taking the lead in ensuring there is peace within communities and said the military will provide assistance when needed.

Prime minister Frank Bainimarama's FijiFirst party holds an overwhelming majority in Fiji's new parliament and a recent survey of 982 people showed his popularity remains a long way ahead of his nearest rival, the leader of the opposition Sodelpa Party, Sitiveni Rabuka.

But the survey also found that a large number of of people were undecided on who their preferred prime minister was, which academics say could open the door for another contender.