The Social Democratic Liberal Party have made their stand that they will not support the third reading of the Constitution Amendment Bill in its current form.
The decision follows discussions held during the Party’s Special Annual General Meeting at Gospel Primary School Hall today.
Party General Secretary Levi Vere says the SODELPA Management Board met this morning to discuss the way forward for the Party and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill.
He says the Board has recommended that the Party not support the Bill’s third reading, and the decision will be relayed to its three members of Parliament.
Vere adds that if any of the Party’s Members of Parliament go against the Management Board’s directive, the Party’s disciplinary provisions will be invoked.
He says the Party will also inform its coalition partners, the People’s Alliance Party and the National Federation Party, of its decision following today’s AGM, as well as the Office of the Speaker.
He adds that SODELPA supports changes to the 2013 Constitution, but says the process must be carried out in the correct manner.
A motion opposing the third reading of Bill 32 was put forward during the Special AGM, with 221 of the 296 members who attended the meeting supporting the motion.
SODELPA President Ratu Filimoni Soqeta says the Party wants the general elections to be held, allowing the incoming government to continue the process of amending the 2013 Constitution.
