Constitution Review Commission has proposed removing the appointment of the President from the existing parliamentary process and placing it in the hands of a new seven-member Presidential Appointments Commission.
Under the proposal, the commission would comprise the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, three representatives of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (BLV), one representative of the Fiji Council of Churches and one representative from interfaith religions.
The recommendation would give the proposed BLV the largest single representation on the body, with three of the seven members.
The Constitution Review Commission said the new body would be constitutionally established and given responsibility for appointing the President.
The proposal would represent a significant change from the 2013 Constitution, under which Parliament appoints the President following nominations by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
The review also proposes new eligibility requirements for presidential nominees. A nominee could not have a criminal conviction carrying a penalty of more than 12 months and would have to have remained outside political party office and candidacy for at least eight years.
The President would be limited to two three-year terms.
The Commission has also recommended clearly defining the President’s reserve powers, particularly where the Constitution requires the office holder to act “in accordance with” the advice of Cabinet, a minister or another constitutionally prescribed body.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Speaker of Parliament would become Acting President whenever the President is absent or the office is vacant.
The proposed Presidential Appointments Commission is part of a wider package of constitutional reforms recommended by the Constitution Review Commission and has not yet become law.
