THE Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD) has called for substantial changes to Fiji’s proposed Constitution, warning that the draft fails to address the excessive concentration of power in the executive.
In its submission to the Parliamentary Special Committee examining the Government Draft Constitution 2026, a CDD statement said the proposed reforms risk reproducing key weaknesses of the 2013 Constitution while removing safeguards recommended by the Constitution Review Commission.
“The real constitutional question is not simply how many provisions have changed,” the statement said.
“It is where constitutional power ultimately sits, who can exercise it, and whether institutions exist that can effectively restrain the Government when that power is abused.”
CDD said the review process should preserve democratic foundations, including equal citizenship, one person one vote one value, secularism and constitutional protection of indigenous land, culture and identity, while strengthening independent institutions and accountability.
The organisation raised concerns about proposed electoral changes, including 33 constituency seats and 22 party-list seats, warning that the proposed boundaries commission could face risks of political influence.
It also opposed the proposed 23-member Senate, questioning the cost of maintaining an unelected second chamber, and called for the removal of provisions permitting “lawful and moderate chastisement” of children.
CDD further urged the removal of new immunity provisions and warned that conflicting commencement clauses could create constitutional uncertainty if electoral and institutional arrangements were not ready.
The submission identified drafting errors and contradictions, including conflicting deadlines for election petitions and inconsistencies in emergency and immunity provisions.
Despite its criticism, CDD acknowledged improvements in the draft, including stronger rights protections, recognition of workers’ right to strike and greater civilian authority over the military.
It called for a complete technical redrafting before the Bill proceeded further.
“Fiji should not replace one Constitution simply to reproduce the principal structural defect of the Constitution being replaced.”
