DESPITE opposition to the national referendum process to amend the 2013 Constitution from his Coalition partners, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the NFP and SODELPA were free to express their views.

“The Coalition Government remains completely intact,” he said.

“The appointed select committee will receive all submissions, and together, we will deliberate on them.

“In a healthy democracy, there is room to agree to disagree but we will ultimately move forward with the business of implementing the necessary changes for our people, strictly within the confines of the law.”

Yesterday, SODELPA leader Aseri Radrodro questioned Government’s decision to announce December 9 as the day when eligible voters will vote on whether to adopt a new constitution.

“The rule of law and constitutional order in Fiji cannot be subordinated to executive convenience or political scheduling,” Mr Radrodro said in a statement.

“A national referendum is a grave constitutional mechanism governed strictly by law, not an executive prerogative to be announced at a press conference before statutory and parliamentary prerequisites are complete.”

Also raising concerns, National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad said the PM’s announcement of the referendum date was inconsistent with Section 160(3) of the 2013 Constitution.

“The bipartisan special parliamentary committee has yet to begin its scrutiny and consultation on the draft Constitution despite Parliament approving the committee last week,” he said.

“NFP voted for the Bill at its second reading because it wanted the public to participate in the Constitution making process.”

Earlier this week, Mr Rabuka announced the National Referendum will be undertaken on December 9.