National Federation Party (NFP) president Parmod Chand has criticised the limited time given to members of the public to make submissions on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, saying people are being hurried through a process that will determine the country’s supreme law.
Appearing before the Special Parliamentary Committee at the Labasa Civic Centre yesterday, Mr Chand described the consultation process as rushed and fundamentally unfair to the people of Fiji.
“This constitutional consultation process is being rushed. It is fundamentally unfair to the people of Fiji, and the manner in which it is being conducted is making a mockery of the very principles of democracy that this proposed Constitution claims to uphold,” he said.
Mr Chand expressed disappointment that people who had travelled considerable distances to participate in the consultations were being given only a few minutes to present their views.
He said many had taken time away from their farms, businesses, workplaces and families because they believed their voices mattered.
However, he questioned whether the consultation process was giving them a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
“Some have barely begun explaining their concerns before they are reminded of the time,” he said.
“Others must condense years of experience, historical grievances and genuine fears about their future into a few hurried remarks.”
Mr Chand argued that the time restrictions demonstrated how rushed the constitutional consultation process had become.
“If there is one thing that demonstrates just how rushed and farcical this entire process has become, it is the fact that the people themselves are being hurried through their submissions.”
He said constitutional reform was too important to be conducted in a manner that restricted meaningful public participation.
“We are supposedly consulting the people about the supreme law of their country, yet we cannot even afford them sufficient time to speak.
“That is unacceptable.”
Mr Chand maintained that the public deserved adequate time to express their concerns and contribute meaningfully to discussions on the proposed Constitution.
