Monday 20 February 2017

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 Falveyunopposed*

Southern European Constituency
Douglas Walkden Brown375
Archibald Gardener25
John Kearsley388*
Informal29
Total817
Electoral Boundaries

Western European Constituency
Samuel L. Berwick296
Ronald Graham Quayle Kermode573*
Informal12
Total881

Northern European Constituency
F. G. Archibald358*
Harold Gibson341
Informal38
Total737

European Nominated Members

C. D. Aidneynominated*
J. A. Moorenominated*

Indian Elected Members

Southern Indian Constituency
Chandra Prakash Bidesi1,174
Andrew Indar Narayan Deoki3,722*
Abdul Rahiman Sahu Khan498
Ram Lochan Regan1,220
Kunwar Bachint Singh2,778
Informal223
Total9,615

North Viti Levu Indian Constituency
Siddiq Moidin Koya3,998*
James Shankar Singh3,480
Informal50
Total7,428

Western Indian Constituency
Ambalal Dahyabhai Patel6,244*
D. S. Sharma3,346
M. Singh72
Informal92
Total9,754

Northern Indian Constituency
Harish Chandra Kohli2,175
James Madhavan2,753*
Informal76
Total5,004

Indian Nominated Members

Chirag Ali Shahnominated*
Chandra Pal Singhnominated*

Fijian Elected Members

Central Fijian Constituency
Semesa Sikivou10,152*
Livai Volavola2,600
A. Waqabaca228
Informal257
Total13,237

Western Fijian Constituency
Penaia Ganilau7,347*
Isikeli Nadalo659
Peniame Naqasima1,434
William Toganivalu197
Apisai Tora1,496
Informal1,189
Total12,322

Northern Fijian Constituency
Edward Cakobauunopposed*

Eastern Fijian Constituency
Ravuama Vunivalu/Josua Rabukawaqaunopposed*

Fijian Nominated Members

George Cakobaunominated*
Kamisese Maranominated*

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