Descendants of Girmitiyas have been specifically recognised for representation in Fiji’s proposed 23-member Senate under the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Section 76 requires appointments made on the advice of the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition to reflect Fiji’s diversity, “including descendants of Girmitiyas and other minority groups.”
Under the proposed structure, the President would appoint all 23 senators.
Fourteen would be appointed on the advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (BLV), six on the advice of the Prime Minister, two on the advice of the Leader of the Opposition and one on the advice of the Rotuma Island Council.
The diversity requirement, including the specific reference to Girmitiya descendants and other minority groups, applies to the eight appointments recommended by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.
The provision does not prescribe a specific number of Senate seats for Girmitiya descendants or other minority communities.
If the position of Leader of the Opposition is vacant when appointments are being made, the Prime Minister would assume the Opposition Leader’s role in proposing the two senators normally allocated to that office.
Anyone appointed to the Senate would also have to satisfy the eligibility requirements for a candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives.
The explicit reference to Girmitiya descendants is also reflected in the Bill’s Preamble, which recognises the arrival of the forebears of Fiji’s subsequent settlers, including “Indians, descendants of Girmitiyas”, as part of the country’s history and multicultural society.
