List of Speakers of the House of Representatives (Fiji)
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Fijian House of Representatives. At its first session following a general election, the House of Representatives elects a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. With a view to ensuring impartiality, the Speaker is not allowed to be a member of the House, though he must qualify for membership. The Deputy Speaker, however, is elected from among members of the House.
The office of Speaker is an essential feature of the parliamentary system, and has proved to be the most durable of of all the Westminister parliamentary traditions.
The following persons have held the office of Speaker:
- R.D. Patel: 1972 – 1976.
- Mosese Qionibaravi: 1977 – 1982.
- Tomasi Vakatora: 1982 – 1987.
- Militoni Lewaniqila: 1987.
- Dr Apenisa Kurisaqila: 1992 – 1999.
- Ratu Epeli Nailatikau: 2001 - present
