The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) is drafting a standard operating procedures to guide the secretariat in its operations.

Prime Minister and COC chair Sitiveni Rabuka said this in Parliament yesterday while highlighting the COC’s work since the Coalition came into power last year.

“Pursuant to Section 138(4) of the Constitution, the COC establishes and maintains its own rules and regulations governing its internal procedures and functions,” Mr Rabuka said.

“As such the COC for the first time resolved to consider formulating its own standard operating procedures or SOPs with respect to the conduct of each procedure and function.

“Following that decision, the first draft of the COC SOPs was circulated among the members.”

He said at present the SOPs were being reviewed by the COC members to ensure that it was comprehensive, coherent and compliant with the Constitutional provisions and objectives of the commission.

“The SOPs will serve as a starting point for the COC to implement and enforce its functions and its responsibilities in alignment with the stipulated sections of the Constitution.

“The draft SOPs contains procedures with respect to the quorum for the COC meetings, appointment and tenure of COC members, responsibilities of the secretaries of the COCs, the appointment process for constitutional office holders, dealing with urgent COC matters, decision-making processes of the COC, the independence of the COC and provisions regarding regular updates and advice to Parliament.”

He said once finalised, these procedures would not only streamline the internal operations of the COC, they would also provide clarity and guidance to its members regarding their roles and their responsibilities.

“Additionally, the SOPs will enhance transparency and accountability within the COC fostering trust among the stakeholders and the public of Fiji.

“It is expected that the finalised SOPs will be officially adopted by the COC following thorough deliberations and consensus building among its members.”