The composition of the Constituent Assembly will be reflective of the diversity of the people of Fiji according to Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The assembly, which will look into the draft forwarded to it by the President after it is presented to him by the Constitutional Commission, will be guided by the Fiji Constituent Process (Constitution Assembly and Adoption of Constitution) Decree.
Cabinet endorsed this decree this week and it ensures that the draft inculcates provisions such as the non-negotiable principles set out by the Prime Minister.
The assembly will be appointed by January next year as per the Prime Minister's announcement on timelines.
The assembly must include but should not be limited to include Government, registered political parties, faith-based organisations, representatives of employers, farmers, trade unions, youth groups, women organisations and so on.
It also looks at how the media will participate in the process and the provision where the public can hear the proceedings and debate by the assembly.
Once the assembly hands over its review of the draft, the President then forwards it to the Chief Justice, who within seven days shall appoint a five-member tribunal.
This tribunal will then consider whether the draft complies with the provisions of the decree, the non-negotiable principles and the immunity provisions.
If the tribunal believes that there are certain amendments to be made, the President will give it back to the assembly with the note that they look at these provisions or the clauses that might not be compliant with the decree.
The non-negotiable principles include:
A common and equal citizenry;
A secular state;
The removal of systemic corruption;
An independent judiciary;
Elimination of discrimination;
Good and transparent governance;
Social justice;
One person, one vote, one value;
The elimination of ethnic voting;
Proportional representation; and
A voting age of 18.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
