Parliament to examine whether it is reasonably possible to amend Constitution – PM

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says Parliament will examine whether it is reasonably possible to amend relevant provisions of Chapter 11 of the Constitution, and he also agrees that getting 75 percent of registered voters to say yes to changes in the Constitution is quite difficult.

Chapter 11 of the Constitution states that any amendments to the Constitution shall have the support of 75 percent of the Members of Parliament and 75 percent of the registered voters in a referendum.

When questioned by fijivillage News, Rabuka says they are moving ahead as Cabinet has approved measures to initiate the review of the 2013 Constitution, and a Bill to amend relevant provisions of Chapter 11 of the Constitution will be finalised for tabling in Parliament.

Cabinet says a Constitution Review Commission is also expected to be appointed to engage the people of Fiji in a consultative process regarding the 2013 Constitution.

Rabuka says the 2013 Constitution has been subject to wide criticism since its imposition.

He says the criticisms relate both to the manner and process leading to its adoption, as well as aspects of its substantive content.

Rabuka says Constitutional review or changes featured prominently in most political parties' campaigns during the 2022 general elections.

With cabinet's endorsement, both the bill and the Constitution Review Commission will now form part of the Coalition Government's Legislative Programme of 2025, the details of which would be announced by the President at the opening of this year's new session of parliament next month.