SUVA – The parliament of Fiji elected Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as the new president of Fiji on Thursday.

Nominated by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Ratu Naiqama received 37 votes in the parliament in Suva, emerging victorious over opposition candidate Ratu Meli Tora, who received 16 votes.

Ratu Naiqama will assume the constitutional role after he takes the oath of office as president.

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He is the current speaker of the parliament and will remain in office until Nov 11.

The office of the speaker will be officially vacant from Nov 12, with a new speaker set to be appointed on Dec 2, local media reported.