Future amendments to Fiji’s Constitution would require the support of at least two-thirds of members in both the House of Representatives and Senate, under the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026.
However, a higher three-quarters majority in each House would be required to amend the Constitution’s entrenched immunity provisions.
Under section 209, any constitutional amendment Bill would have to be read three times in both Houses, with the required majority secured at both the second and third readings.
There must also be an interval of at least 30 days between the second and third readings, with full opportunity for debate and the relevant parliamentary committee required to report before the third reading.
The Bill identifies sections 204 to 207, dealing with immunity, as entrenched provisions requiring the higher three-quarters threshold.
Additional protections are proposed for several other constitutional provisions.
Any Senate attempt to amend specified provisions — including the composition of the Senate, appointment and removal of the President and Vice-President, and certain provisions relating to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga — would require support from at least nine of the 14 senators appointed on the advice of the BLV.
Rotuma would also receive a specific constitutional safeguard.
A Bill seeking to amend provisions covering Rotuma, including its maritime constituency, Senate representative, Chapter 9 or relevant parts of Chapter 3, could not even be introduced in Parliament unless first approved by two-thirds of the Rotuma Island Council.
Unlike the current constitutional amendment framework, the procedure set out in the supplied provisions does not require a national referendum after the parliamentary vote.
