1963 Fiji Legislative Council elections

Changes to the Constitution on June 1962 enfranchised women and indigenous Fijians for the first time and provided for a triennial Legislative Council consisting of the Governor as President, not more than nineteen nominated members who must be public officers. In addition, there were six  non-official members from each of the three major ethnic groups (Fijians, Indians, and Europeans); 4 members each being directly elected, with a further 2 being appointed by the Governor; the two Fijian representatives were appointed by the Governor from a list of names submitted by the Great Council of Chiefs.

For the election of European members the Colony was divided into five electoral divisions, each electing one member, except the southern division which elected two members.

The qualification to be registered as European a voter was as follows:

1. The son of parents of European descent, or, being the son or lineal descendent of a European father and being able to read, write and speak English.
2. British subject by birth or naturalisation.
3. Age of 21 years or over.
4. Has been continuously resident in the Colony for 12 months.
5. Is in possession of either,
   1. freehold land or leasehold property within the Colony of the net total yearly value of £20;
   2. or of an annual income of not less than £120.
6. Not in receipt of a salary payable out of the public revenue of the Colony.

The qualification of elected European member were as follows:

1. Qualified to be registered as an elector and has been continuously resident in the Colony for two years.
2. Has possessed freehold property in the Colony, under his or his wife's name,  of the net value of £500, or net total yearly value of £50  for at least 12 months before the election. OR
3. Has been in occupation for at least 12 months before the election of freehold or leasehold property in the Colony, either under his name or his wife's name, to the extent of 500 acres. OR
4. Has rented for at least 12 months before the election, freehold or leasehold property in the Colony of the yearly value of £100. OR
5. Has an annual income from all sources of not less than £200.

For the election of Indian members the Colony was divided into three electoral divisions, each electing one member. The qualification to be registered as European a voter was as follows:

1. The son of parents of Indian descent.
2. Age of 21 years and over.
3. Is a British subject or a native of the territories of any Indian Prince or Chief under the suzerainty exercised through the Governor-General of India or through any Governor or other officer subordinate to the Governor General of India.
4. Has been continuously resident in the Colony for two years.
5. Can read and write a simple sentence and sign his name in any of the following languages to the satisfaction of the registration officer: English, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telegu, Gurmukhi, Gujarati.
6. Has for a period of not less than six months immediately preceding the date on which the electoral roll is closed either;

1. been in possession of freehold or leasehold property in the Colony of a total yearly value of five pounds over and above all charges and encumbrances thereon OR
2. been in possession of a net annual cash income of seventy-five pounds OR
3. been and remains the holder of a Government or municipal licence issued under any ordinance, the annual cost of the licence being not less than five pounds.

Civil servants could not be voters and females were not permitted to vote.

European Elected Members

Suva European Constituency

John Neil Falvey

unopposed

*

Southern European Constituency

Douglas Walkden Brown	375
Archibald Gardener	25
John Kearsley	388	*
Informal	29
Total	817

Electoral Boundaries

Western European Constituency

Samuel L. Berwick	296
Ronald Graham Quayle Kermode	573	*
Informal	12
Total	881

Northern European Constituency

F. G. Archibald	358	*
Harold Gibson	341
Informal	38
Total	737

European Nominated Members

C. D. Aidney	nominated	*
J. A. Moore	nominated	*

Indian Elected Members

Southern Indian Constituency

Chandra Prakash Bidesi	1,174
Andrew Indar Narayan Deoki	3,722	*
Abdul Rahiman Sahu Khan	498
Ram Lochan Regan	1,220
Kunwar Bachint Singh	2,778
Informal	223
Total	9,615

North Viti Levu Indian Constituency

Siddiq Moidin Koya	3,998	*
James Shankar Singh	3,480
Informal	50
Total	7,428

Western Indian Constituency

Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel	6,244	*
D. S. Sharma	3,346
M. Singh	72
Informal	92
Total	9,754

Northern Indian Constituency

Harish Chandra Kohli	2,175
James Madhavan	2,753	*
Informal	76
Total	5,004

Indian Nominated Members

Chirag Ali Shah	nominated	*
Chandra Pal Singh	nominated	*

Fijian Elected Members

Central Fijian Constituency

Semesa Sikivou	10,152	*
Livai Volavola	2,600
A. Waqabaca	228
Informal	257
Total	13,237

Western Fijian Constituency

Penaia Ganilau	7,347	*
Isikeli Nadalo	659
Peniame Naqasima	1,434
William Toganivalu	197
Apisai Tora	1,496
Informal	1,189
Total	12,322

Northern Fijian Constituency

Edward Cakobau

unopposed

*

Eastern Fijian Constituency

Ravuama Vunivalu/Josua Rabukawaqa

unopposed

*

Fijian Nominated Members

George Cakobau	nominated	*
Kamisese Mara	nominated	*