An Auckland -based Fijian academic Steven Ratuva says there is a real possibility of a coalition government following next week's election in Fiji.
Dr Ratuva says if the polls published so far are to be trusted, the earlier overwhelming support for the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is slipping.
Fiji voting information pamphlets Photo: RNZI
He says the smaller parties have drawn away support from the leader's FijiFirst party while the indigenous-back SODELPA has gained ground.
"FijiFirst if it wins, it might win with a very small margin, otherwise it may not have the majority and therefore it needs to have a coalition with someone else. Those five smaller parties and two independents, they can actually become kingmakers if the situation arises where no one gets the majority."
A senior lecturer in Pacific Studies at Auckland University, Steven Ratuva.