Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally by announcing a date for a national referendum on the Constitution Amendment Bill before the Bill has completed its parliamentary process.
Chaudhry says the Supreme Court opinion has made it clear that the 2013 Constitution remains effective and is the supreme law of the land.
He says the Constitution Amendment Bill has not yet gone through its third reading, which he says is mandatory before a referendum date can be set.
Chaudhry says the Prime Minister cannot act on the assumption that the Bill will pass its third reading.
He also says the Prime Minister does not have the right to direct the Electoral Commission to suspend all general election campaign activities.
Chaudhry says the independence of electoral institutions must be respected.
Chaudhry says this is a bid by the Prime Minister to remain in power despite his undertaking in Parliament that the elections would be held under the 2013 Constitution.
The third reading and vote on the Constitution Amendment Bill will take place in parliament on November 2nd after consultations by the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Prime Minister Rabuka.
If 66 percent of MPs vote in favour of the Bill, then a national referendum will be held on 9th December and the result of that referendum is expected to be out by 14th December this year.
