THE push to have Fiji’s new Constitution in place by December 24 is facing growing political resistance, with National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad warning the NFP will not be part of any rushed or “shortcut” attempt to implement it.
Prof Prasad said the NFP agreed that the 2013 Constitution needed changes, but the process must be open, transparent and accountable so that people have confidence in the process and the new Constitution.
“The NFP will not be party to any attempt to rush the implementation of the new constitution,” he said.
He warned that forcing the process could create unnecessary “panic and confusion” and instability, saying Fiji needs a constitution that is sustainable.
Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has separately questioned the Government’s timing, saying there was no reason to rush the process after more than three years in office.
“This is really, to me, quite clearly an attempt by Government to deviate attention away from the general elections,” he said.
He said Government was losing support and wanted to “grab hold of a handle” before the election.
He warned that a referendum would require resources and an operation similar to a general election, while many people did not understand how extensive such an exercise would be.
Meanwhile, Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry has hit out at Mr Rabuka, asking: “Has Rabuka lost it?”
Mr Chaudhry pointed to Mr Rabuka’s failed March 2025 Constitution Amendment Bill and said that after losing the vote by one, the Government sought the Supreme Court’s opinion but then sat on it for a year.
“The people of Fiji have a right to question just what the Prime Minister is up to?”
Cabinet has endorsed a special parliamentary sitting on September 22 to table the CRC report, with debate proposed from September 28.
Subject to parliamentary approval, a referendum is proposed between November and mid-December, with the new Constitution targeted to take effect by December 24.
