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C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s that the Commonwealth should continue to remain engaged with Fiji and support efforts towards that end. On 14 March 2014, at CMAG’s 43rd meeting, ministers recognised progress made to hold elections by September 2014 and decided that Fiji’s full suspension from the Commonwealth should be changed to suspension from the councils of the Commonwealth, thus permitting it once again to participate in a range of Commonwealth activities, including the Commonwealth Games. The general election held on 17 September 2014 – the first under the 2013 constitution – was won by the FijiFirst Party with 59 per cent of votes (32 seats); turnout was 84 per cent. The Social Democratic Liberal Party secured 28 per cent of votes (15 seats); the National Federation Party five per cent (three seats); the People’s Democratic Party three per cent (no seats); and the FLP two per cent (no seats). A multinational observer group said that the elections were credible and broadly represented the will of the Fijian people. Fiji was reinstated as a full member of the Commonwealth on 26 September 2014 following a decision by CMAG, at its 44th meeting in New York, when ministers recognised the credible elections held on 17 September 2014 and the assumption of office by a democratically elected government. Local government Ministry: Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment There are no constitutional provisions for devolved government, but local government is established in urban areas. Further information Fijian Government: www.fiji.gov.fj Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2014/15 162


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