23 Jan 2017

Fiji's Draunidalo quits parliament and party

1:53 pm on 23 January 2017

A suspended MP of Fiji's National Federation Party Roko Tupou Draunidalo has resigned from parliament and the party.

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Photo: Fiji Parliament

She had entered parliament in 2014 when Fiji held its first election since the 2006 coup led by Frank Bainimarama.

Roko Tupou was suspended for the remainder of the term last June for contravening standing orders.

Her resignation means that Parmod Chand will take her seat until the end of the term next year.

She told the Fiji Times she wanted the voices of those who voted for her to be heard in parliament through a third NFP parliamentarian.

She said she used her time outside of parliament to reflect on the things she cared about in Fiji and that had helped her make the decision.

Roko Tupou said selfless defence of the rule of law should be everyone's business if Fiji is to progress as a nation.

She said she would continue to work from outside of parliament as she would like to see the defeat of the FijiFirst government at the next poll.

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