(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
The man who ruled Fiji for eight years by decree has pulled off a stunning election victory in the country's first poll since 2006.
International observers have declared the poll as reflecting the views of Fijians, but opposition parties have claim there were major irregularities.
For now, with the majority of the votes counted, former rear admiral Voreqe Bainimarama looks set to become the elected prime minister.
Stefan Armbruster reports from Fiji.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
It is business as usual at Suva's central market after Fiji's national election and there's optimism about the country's future.
"VOX: I'm excited since I chose Fiji First. VOX: It is good because it is someone who can run the Fiji govt for the future."
Former Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama took power through the barrel of a gun eight years ago and now looks set to be given the keys to parliament.
But the defeated opposition parties have met in the capital and are now declaring the poll a sham.
Veteran politician Mick Beddoes addressed the local and international media.
"Following the presentation of evidence and details of these incidents by agents and party officials, the political parties do hereby declare that they will not accept the outcome of these elections based on the evidence available, which points to a co-ordinated as systemetic effort to defraud the citizens of Fiji of a free and fair election."
Mr Beddoes says they have identified a number of failings.
"The tampering of ballot boxes, the removal of ballot boxes from stations before being counted, in placement of large size files and envelopes in ballot boxes that could have been placed in it through the opening of ballot bozes as they cannot fit in the slots provided int he ballot boxes."
The united front of opposition parties didn't present any evidence but say they will notify the international election observers.
Delivering an interim report, the Multinational Observer Group said they found no major faults with the conduct of the poll.
Australia's representative Peter Reith spoke on their behalf.
"The view of the multinational observation group is that the outcome of the 2014 election is to broadly represent the view of Fijian voters, which is the wording agreed in the terms of reference as a benchmark."
Mr Reith says the observer mission will consider the complaints before delivering a final report.
"I haven't really been aware of them until the last hour or so when I was told there would be comment of that sort."
With almost two thirds of the ballots counted, Voreqe Bainmarama has achieved a remarkable personal result, securing more than 160,000 of the 400,000 votes counted so far.
That will give him and his Fiji First party at least 30 of the 50 seats in Fiji's parliament.
The main opposition will be lucky to secure just 12.
Counting continues at polling stations across the country and it will be at least four days before the final results are known.
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