The National Federation Party has called for more time to complete Fiji’s constitutional review, warning that rushing the process would undermine its credibility and make it impossible for the next general election to be held under a new constitution.
In its submission to the Fiji Constitution Review Commission, the party says the current timeline is unrealistic and risks reducing the exercise to “a façade.”
“The NFP is of the firm view that this process must not be rushed. Otherwise, it will be labeled a façade,” the submission states.
The party argues that there is “no way whatsoever” the next general election, which must be held by 6 February 2027, can be conducted under a new constitutional framework.
“Realistically, there is no way whatsoever that the next general elections can be held under the provisions of a new constitution.”
The NFP says Fiji’s constitutional history demonstrates that every constitution has required significant time before elections could be held under its provisions because of the need to enact consequential legislation.
It points to the 1970 Constitution, under which elections were held nearly two years after independence, the 1990 Constitution, where elections followed almost two years after promulgation, the 1997 Constitution, which was enacted in July 1997 before elections in May 1999, and the 2013 Constitution, which came into force in September 2013 before elections were held a year later in September 2014.
The party says these precedents show that constitutional change cannot be completed within the current review timeframe.
“It is vital that the Commission request His Excellency the President as the appointing authority and who issued the Terms of Reference, for more time instead of the current unrealistic timeline.”
The NFP maintains that the next general election should proceed under the 2013 Constitution, while electoral reforms could still be implemented by amending the Electoral Act.
It says such amendments could reflect recommendations made by the Multinational Observer Group following the 2014 General Election, as well as concerns raised by political parties.
“Therefore, the next general elections should still be held under the provisions of the 2013 Constitution with government having the option of changing the Electoral Act in accordance with recommendations of the Multinational Observer Group following the 2014 elections as well as the concerns of political parties.”
The party concludes that the Constitution Review Commission should prioritise a credible and legitimate process over meeting the current deadline.
“This Commission, therefore, must not rush the outcome of the review process in conformity to the current timeline because if it does, then the process loses credibility and legitimacy to determine what is right for Fiji.”
