THE proposed new Constitution will not take effect immediately, with the Government proposing March 31, 2028 as the commencement date.
Acting Attorney-General and Justice Minister Siromi Turaga told Parliament the delayed commencement was intended to provide certainty during the transition, particularly as the current Parliament’s term expires in December.
“The Bill nominates March 31, 2028 as the commencement period,” Mr Turaga said.
He said the date was subject to Parliament’s approval but was intended to provide “legal certainty” as Fiji moves from the 2013 Constitution to the proposed framework.
Under the transitional arrangements, the next Parliament will still be elected under the 2013 Constitution but will automatically become the House of Representatives when the new Constitution comes into force.
However, Mr Turaga said Parliament would not immediately face a fresh election.
“It will continue to serve the remainder of its existing four-year parliamentary term established under the 2013 Constitution.”
The first general election under the new Constitution would then be held under its proposed electoral system after constituencies were established and the new framework became operational.
That election would trigger the proposed five-year parliamentary term.
Mr Turaga said the transitional provisions were designed to preserve existing laws, institutions, constitutional offices, rights, obligations and legal proceedings while ensuring Government and public administration continued uninterrupted.
“In essence, these provisions provide a bridge between the present constitutional order and the future constitutional framework,” he said.
