How did the Alliance Party govern Fiji after independence?

Following Fiji's independence in 1970, the Alliance Party governed the country until April 1987. The party was officially pledged to policies of "multiracialism," aiming to balance the interests of the nation's diverse ethnic groups.12

During this period, the party maintained electoral supremacy by relying on a unified Fijian vote and a partnership with General voters (citizens of non-Fijian and non-Indian ethnicity). This governance structure was largely facilitated by the 1970 constitution, which provided constitutional protections for Fijian land rights and granted Fijian chiefs an effective veto over matters affecting the status of Fijians and constitutional changes.2

The Alliance Party's dominance was challenged only briefly in 1977, when Fijian nationalist candidates campaigned on a platform of "Fiji for the Fijians." However, internal factionalism among the opposition prevented the formation of an Indian-led government at that time, allowing the Alliance Party to remain in power. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara served as prime minister for the majority of this post-independence era.12