Giving people the power to vote for their President will require the 2013 Constitution to be changed.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said for now the decision rests with the Members of Parliament.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Graham Leung says the issue of changing the Constitution will come before Cabinet “sooner rather than later”.
“The present (2013) Constitution provides for the President to be elected by the Members of Parliament who are elected by the people,” said Mr Rabuka.
“If the Constitution is changed, and that process of direct election by the people, is passed, then it will be enacted.
“For now, it is Parliament that elects the President.”
According to the Constitution, the President shall be appointed by Parliament in accordance with section 84.
Section 84(2) states that whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition shall nominate one name each to the Speaker who shall put both the names to the floor of Parliament for voting by the members of Parliament.
Section 84(3) stipulates that the person who receives the support of the majority of the members of Parliament present shall be appointed as the President, and the Speaker shall publicly announce the name of the President.
Parliament will sit on October 31 to vote either for or against Mr Rabuka’s nominee Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
The Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu is yet to publicly confirm his nominee for President.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Graham Leung said the issue of amending the 2013 Constitution would come before Cabinet “sooner rather than later”.
“The Prime Minister is taking the lead on this issue,” said Mr Leung.
“He has a busy agenda as you know but the expectation is that the issue will come before Cabinet sooner rather than later.
“It’s a complex issue so any discussions or decisions on the topic have to be thoughtful and considered.”
