ROKO Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa has urged the Government not to repeat the mistake of “counting its chickens before they hatch” as it seeks parliamentary support to advance Fiji’s constitutional referendum process.
Speaking during the Rewa Provincial Council meeting this week, Ro Teimumu said Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu appeared confident the Government would secure the numbers needed in Parliament.
“He seems certain that they will get the numbers, but you know in everything we just have to tell them to pray about it,” she said.
“The last time they were counting their chickens before it was hatched because they thought it would be a walkthrough and walkover.”
The Government’s first attempt to amend the 2013 Constitution failed in March 2025 after falling one vote short of the required 75 per cent parliamentary majority.
The Bill required 41 votes to proceed but received 40 votes in favour and 14 against, while one MP did not vote.
Following the defeat, Cabinet referred constitutional questions to the Supreme Court under Section 91(5) of the Constitution.
In its advisory opinion, the Supreme Court held that constitutional amendments should require a two-thirds majority in Parliament instead of 75 per cent and a simple majority of votes cast in a referendum, rather than 75 per cent of all registered voters.
Ro Teimumu said she hoped the Government would secure the parliamentary support needed so the decision could ultimately rest with the people.
“So many of us want changes in the Constitution and it can only come about through the parliamentary process and also the referendum.”
