A technical glitch has been identified as the cause of a walk-out during the annual general meeting of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) in Suva, where over 100 members from Vanua Levu departed in protest after their nominee, Salote Bulitavu, was excluded from the presidential race.
According to PAP’s general secretary, Sila Balawa, the issue stemmed from a technical oversight. However, representatives from the youth division in the northern region suggested the root problem was poor communication regarding the nomination process. At the beginning of the meeting, Balawa revealed that only one out of five presidential nominations was deemed valid, effectively ruling Bulitavu out of the contest. This announcement ignited a dispute that led Bulitavu’s supporters from the CBM (Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata) region to exit the proceedings in frustration.
A youth representative explained that Bulitavu’s nomination had been submitted via email to the party’s headquarters but was not processed in time for consideration. After some time, she opted to withdraw her nomination, allowing the general secretary to extend the nominations in accordance with party guidelines.
The exclusion of Bulitavu was attributed to a party rule requiring that nominations be submitted at least 15 days prior to the AGM. Despite this setback, the 20-year-old Bulitavu expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to run, underscoring her commitment to address significant issues impacting young community members. She voiced concern over the selection process for seasonal workers from villages, a matter that many of her peers feel has been overlooked.
The newly appointed leadership team also introduced Kava Fuata as vice president, Manasa Navara as secretary, and Neha Kumar as treasurer. Additional committee positions were filled by Central president Charlotte Rauca, Western president Leone Tagicakibau, Eastern president Saiasi Vakaloloma, and Northern president Rapoama Raqi.
The events of the meeting underscore the fervor and dedication of young party members to tackle essential community issues, showcasing a proactive stance towards leadership and engagement.