Church, politics don’t mix

Fiji’s Methodist Church says it will force its lay members to resign from leadership positions if they stand for election in the country’s September election.

The church has advised members, such as stewards, treasurers, presidents of fellowships, cell group leaders and members of church committees, that they will lose key positions if they choose to stand in the upcoming poll.

General Secretary of the Methodist Church, Reverend Tevita Nawadra Banivanua said the decision was made to ensure members are not tempted to abuse power and influence the church to further their political aspirations.

“We have been trying for some years to distance ourselves from being too involved – because we have suffered from it in the past.”

“We just want to show that we can stand on our own two feet and be part of politics through elections, through whatever we may do, but if members want to stand as candidates, then they will have to resign.”

“We are not discouraging our members from campaigning, far from it,” Reverend Banivanua said. Candidates can still maintain their membership in the Methodist Church and be able to participate fully in the life of the church, he said.

He said church halls or properties of the church may be hired for the purpose of election meetings or rallies, but worship services, official church meetings and programmes are not open for political campaigning.

Meanwhile, Fiji’s retired teachers are being encouraged to stand as candidates for election under the banner of the National Youth Party.

The organisation has collected the decreed number of signatures to register and plans to do so when young people descend on Suva for a sporting event later this month.

A spokesman for the party, Nayagodamu Korovou, says parents of young people make up most of the members so far.

He says young people and ex-teachers are being invited to put their names forward to stand for the party in the September polls.

“Teachers can make good good politicians, when we want true democracy. True democracy happens in schools and teachers understand youth better than any other people that work. That’s why we’re calling on retired teachers.”

Korovou says improving employment and removing sales tax from food are among his party’s main policies.

Fijians will go to the polls on September 17.

The elections will be the first since the military coup led by current interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama in December 2006.