National Federation Party candidate Makereta Waqavonovono has filed a Constitutional Redress against the Chair of the Electoral Commission, the Supervisor of Elections and the Minister Responsible for Elections.

Waqavonovono argues that Section 23 of the Electoral Decree may disqualify her from contesting the elections in September.

Section 23 of the Decree gives the eligibility criteria for a person to be nominated for election to Parliament…which includes a person has to be ordinarily resident in Fiji for two years immediately before being nominated.

Waqavonovono was away for twelve months studying at the Australian National University prior to her nomination for candidacy for the National Federation Party.

She argues the provision infringes on her political right to be a candidate for public office guaranteed by section 23 subsection 3 C of the Constitution.

On Monday, the High Court will hear an application from the respondents that it doesn’t have jurisdiction to hear the case.