By Lice Movono
NEWCOMER Lynda Tabuya of SODELPA has steadily polled stronger than any other woman candidate on both sides of the political divide.
A lawyer and law lecturer, the former beauty queen ran a strong campaign powered by workers rights and high costs of living, tracking straight to the front of the pack to be second only to her party leader in popularity at these polls.
Tabuya polled 7071 votes at 2.35am more than 2000 votes ahead of Leader of Opposition, Rewa paramount chief and the head of the Burebasaga confederacy Ro Teimumu Kepa at 4549.
Other SODELPA women candidates follow in the list of strong women candidates with Salote Radrodro 1687, Tanya Waqanika 1637, Adi Litia Qionibaravi 1633 and Mere Samisoni 1441.
Candidates from the National Federation Party and ruling Fiji First make up the top 10 women in Lenora Qereqeretabua 1425, Premila Kumar 1164, Mereseini Vuniwaqa 920, Adi Mere Ratunabuabua 810 and Rosy Akbar 611.
Ro Teimumu polled the most votes with 49,485 or 9.97% of all votes tallied in 2014.
As the count completes 1480 out of 2170 polling stations, officials still have not made public which specific venues tallied votes were from.