Members of the Opposition were absent from the swearing in of the new President Major General Jioji Konrote today.

Opposition Office Principal Administration Officer Mick Beddoes told FBC News, the MP’s were attending a two day budget session and couldn’t make it to the ceremony.

He says those MP’s who had been invited, had sent their apologies that they would not be in attendance.

The Opposition had nominated Ratu Epeli Ganilau as their candidate for President.

Their nomination was defeated in a vote 31- 14 to Konrote.