THE Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Aseri Radrodro is demanding urgent legal clarification from the Attorney-General over Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s announcement that Fiji’s proposed constitutional referendum will be held on December 9.
Mr Radrodro questioned the legal authority for the Prime Minister to announce a polling date before the constitutional and parliamentary processes are completed.
“The rule of law and constitutional order in Fiji cannot be subordinated to executive convenience or political scheduling,” he said.
“A national referendum is a grave constitutional mechanism governed strictly by law, not an executive prerogative to be announced at a press conference before statutory and parliamentary prerequisites are complete.”
SODELPA has submitted 10 legal questions to acting A-G Siromi Turaga, including whether the Prime Minister has the power to fix a referendum date and whether the date is binding before a presidential writ is issued.
The party is also questioning the proposed suspension of general election campaigning, voter education and the cost of holding two national polls within weeks of each other.
SODELPA wants Government to disclose the projected cost of the referendum and general election and guarantee that State resources and public media will not be used to campaign for a “Yes” vote.
Mr Radrodro said all parliamentarians must put the interests of Fijians first.
Questions sent to the Attorney-General’s Office remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
