SODELPA Naitasiri branch president Malakai Vuetibau has questioned why there has not been proper consultations undertaken for Fijians on the draft Constitution Amendment Bill 2026.
Speaking at the Tavua public consultation of the draft legislation, Mr Vuetibau questioned why iTaukei have not been properly informed of the proposed changes to the 2013 Constitution.
He questioned the Special Parliamentary Committee chaired by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on whether the draft Bill had been presented before the Great Council of Chiefs and taken to ordinary Fijians before being asked to make submissions during the nationwide consultations.
Mr Vuetibau said they were concerned that many Fijians were still unaware of the specific changes. He called on the Committee not to rush through the process and wait for the new Government to continue the work of changing Fiji’s constitution.
He then called for the removal of Sections 200 to 203 under Chapter 13 of the proposed legislation. According to the proposed Bill, Chapter 13 outlines emergency powers and the various legislative processes and authorities that would be undertaken when a State of Emergency is declared by Cabinet on the advice of the National Security Council.
Mr Vuetibau also reminded Government members of the Committee of the Coalition Agreement signed between the three main parties in 2022.
He said while SODELPA had agreed to the changing of the 2013 Constitution, promises were made that the process would be carried out within the first 100 days of Government.
He questioned why this process was left until the final months of the Coalition’s reign in Government.
