The National Federation Party is calling for politicians to be removed from the appointment process for Fiji’s key constitutional office holders, arguing that the current system undermines the independence of critical institutions.
In its submission to the Fiji Constitution Review Commission, the party says appointments to independent constitutional offices should no longer be made through the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC), describing the body as inherently political.
“The COC itself is a political body. The Chair of the COC is the Prime Minister.”
The NFP notes that the Attorney-General and two nominees of the Prime Minister represent the Government on the Commission, while the Leader of the Opposition and one nominee complete its membership.
According to the party, this gives politicians control over appointments to some of Fiji’s most important public offices.
The COC is responsible for appointing:
- the Chairperson and members of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission;
- the Chairperson and members of the Electoral Commission;
- the Supervisor of Elections;
- the Secretary-General to Parliament;
- the Chairperson and members of the Public Service Commission;
- the Commissioner of Police;
- the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service;
- the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces;
- the Auditor-General; and
- the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.
The NFP says these positions are fundamental to ensuring accountability and good governance and should be insulated from political influence.
“The above 10 positions are extremely important. They must not be appointed by politicians. It defeats the very meaning of constitutional office when politicians sit on it.”
To address the issue, the party is recommending that Fiji revert to, and strengthen, the appointment provisions contained in the 1997 Constitution.
“We recommend that the provisions of the 1997 Constitution on the appointment of independent/constitutional offices be adopted and strengthened so as to make the appointments truly apolitical for the sake of accountability and transparency.”
The recommendation forms part of the NFP’s broader submission to the Constitution Review Commission, which advocates reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and improving public confidence in Fiji’s constitutional framework.
