Social Democratic Liberal Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka has clarified that a proposed party leader can only be elected by the party management board.

Speaking to FBC News after his court case today, Rabuka says the party’s different branches can submit names to the board and the final decision whether an appointment should be made lies on the Board.

When questioned by FBC News to clarify the report in today’s Fiji Sun which has stated that Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s name was proposed at a party meeting in Nadera, Nasinu to replace Rabuka if he lost his court case, he says he is not aware of the meeting.

“It has not come to headquarters, they might have raised it in their branch meeting, they have not brought that information up to headquarters.”

Rabuka says they have amended their Constitution to allow for a Deputy Leader and if party members want to nominate Ratu Naiqama they should approach him and raise his name to the Management Board.

With Rabuka’s court case still hanging in the balance, FBC News understands a decision will be made soon by the Party to select someone as the Deputy Party Leader.