Calls to bring back the Senate are being made by most of the participants during the consultation on the three electoral laws hosted by the Fiji Law Reform Commission.
National Federation Party member Priscilla Singh says there should be a Senate as it acts like a checking system for the people.
She says if Parliament was not able to do what it was doing, or it felt that there was something wrong, there was another level of leadership that could look at it and put it right so that we get the best laws in place.
While supporting the calls for the reinstatement of the Senate, SODELPA General Secretary Viliame Takayawa says they feel the Senate will provide a mechanism for sober second thoughts with the regional interest or Fiji provincial or village settings.
He says they believe the 55 seats in Parliament is the right balance between representation and cost efficiency.
President of the Counterstroke Fiji and Electoral Disability Awareness Working Group Elizabeth Fong says the reintroduction of a Senate brings accountability, and checks and balances, and these are usually people with some expertise.
She says their analysis of the situation and issues that arise is likely to be in greater depth of understanding.
Fong says she is not saying that politicians do not have some expertise but they should be backed up by those with other expertise.
FNU Medical Student Nitish Sharma says he does not want the old Senate to be brought back but a new one that is voted by the people.
He believes a Senate is a good thing as there should be another form of checks and balances above Parliament.
The FNU student says the previous Senate was not democratically elected.
Meanwhile, the Senate was abolished in 2013, and replaced with a single-chamber Parliament.
The consultation continues today at the Korovou Police Bure until 2pm and from 4pm to 6pm at the Nausori Market Women's Accommodation Centre.
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