Constitution Bill passes second reading with required 35 votes

The Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 has passed its second reading in Parliament after the Government secured the required 35 votes.

A total of 38 MPs voted in favour of the Bill, five voted against it, nine abstained and one did not vote.

The Bill will now proceed to its third reading.

A Joint Parliamentary Select Committee led by Prime Minister Rabuka, and Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, National Federation Party Leader and MP Professor Biman Prasad, Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga, Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development Mosese Bulitavu, Leader of the Opposition Inia Seruiratu and 3 members of the Opposition nominated by the Opposition Leader will have consultations with the people of Fiji over the next 30 days.

The Special Committee will report back to Parliament on 2nd November.

Rabuka says what Parliament discussed today is not just a Bill, but a framework by which people will live, work, raise their families, practise their faith, protect their communities and determine the future of the country.

He says the Constitution must serve the people and respond to the realities they face today and in the future.

Meanwhile, a total of 12 speakers from both the Government and the Opposition spoke on the Bill during the debate.

Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu says any new constitutional framework must serve Fiji fairly and democratically for generations and should not be shaped around the interests of the government, opposition or institutions of today.

Seruiratu says constitutional reviews provide an opportunity to change the direction of the country, but there must be a clear understanding of why change is necessary, what needs to change and the implications and benefits of those changes.

He says the process must be guided by good governance, including public participation, consensus, inclusivity, accountability and transparency.

Seruiratu stresses that the Bill is not an ordinary piece of legislation, as it proposes to repeal provisions of the 2013 Constitution, with the exception of Chapter 10, and replace them with a new constitutional framework contained in the schedule to the Bill.

He says this places an enormous responsibility on Parliament.

Seruiratu says governments come and go, Prime Ministers and Opposition Leaders change, political parties rise and fall, and every Member of Parliament will eventually leave public office, but a constitution is intended to endure beyond the political circumstances of the day.

He says Parliament must therefore consider whether the proposed constitutional system will serve Fiji fairly and democratically for generations to come.

The Opposition Leader also says constitutional legitimacy cannot simply be measured by whether consultations were held or submissions received.

He says there is an important distinction between consultation and genuine public ownership, and the key question is whether the final document sufficiently reflects the aspirations, concerns and expectations of the wider population.

Seruiratu says constitutional recognition must also go beyond words in a preamble, with institutions established under the Constitution giving every community confidence that they have a place, a voice and an equal stake in Fiji's future.

He says constitutional reform should never become a contest where recognition of one community is perceived as coming at the expense of another.

Seruiratu also stressed the importance of retaining a common national identity.

He says the strength of a constitution cannot be measured only by the promises contained in its text, but also by whether the institutions it establishes are capable of upholding those promises when they come under pressure.

Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga says amending the 2013 Constitution would bring Fiji's constitutional framework more closely in line with international human rights standards and reflect the belief that human dignity, equality and justice are rights that must be respected and protected.

Opposition MP Ketan Lal says the Constitution is not an ordinary piece of legislation and therefore any changes to it must be guided by fundamental principles.

Lal says questions must be asked about whether the proposed changes protect citizens and hold the government accountable.

The Opposition MP says constitutional reform should pass the democratic test and any change must be justified.

He says changes to the Constitution should not be made to suit the government or because it does not like the Opposition.

Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko reminded Lal that the second reading debate should focus on the principles and merits of the Bill, rather than general criticism.

Lal concluded by saying he does not support the Constitution Amendment Bill.

Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya says any constitutional reform must strengthen democracy, protect equal citizenship and ensure those exercising political power remain accountable.

Koya questioned whether the consultation process had been broad enough, and said that people must be given enough time to obtain and read the Bill and understand the proposed changes.

He says constitutional reform should be judged by whether the change is necessary, strengthens democracy, restrains power, protects equality and gives people greater confidence and control over those who govern.

He says the ultimate test comes down to three questions, which is where does the power sit, who exercises it, and who holds that person or institution accountable?

Koya concluded by saying that he does not support the Constitution Amendment Bill.

During his contribution, Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica raised a point of order, saying Koya had made very little mention of the merits or demerits of the Bill and was instead discussing issues such as the timing of the process.

The Speaker also reminded Koya that criticism could be raised during the third reading and that the second reading was largely procedural in nature.