The National Federation Party (NFP) has made its continued participation in the special parliamentary committee reviewing the Constitution (Amendment) Bill conditional on extending public consultations until mid-December.
Party president Parmod Chand said the decision was reached during a special meeting of the NFP Management Board today, where members discussed shortcomings in the proposed legislation and identified changes they believe are necessary.
“The National Federation Party’s continued participation in the special parliamentary committee on the Constitution and support for the Constitution (Amendment) is conditional and dependant on the extension of the timeline for public consultation until mid-December,” Mr Chand said.
He said the party’s support would also depend on the inclusion of key constitutional principles it had identified.
“The principles that the NFP wants in the Constitution (Amendment) Bill are significantly important.”
NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad represents the party on the special parliamentary committee reviewing the Bill.
Under the Government’s current timetable, the Bill is expected to return to Parliament in the first week of November.
However, Mr Chand said the party was seriously concerned that the proposed 19-day process allocated only 13 days for public consultation, two days for report writing and one day to finalise the report.
He noted that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had publicly indicated his willingness to consider extending consultations and deliberations, potentially until Parliament’s term ends in late December.
Mr Chand reiterated that while the NFP had consistently advocated replacing the 2013 Constitution, the process must allow meaningful public participation.
“But replacing one Constitution with another cannot become another exercise in imposing constitutional arrangements upon the people without their informed consent,” he said.
“The Constitution is the most important law of our nation. Its legitimacy must come from the people, not the political convenience of those in power.”
