1,430 individual entries for the proposed new Fiji flag have been received by the National Flag committee.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced earlier this afternoon that submissions have come from ordinary Fijians right across the country, from overseas, and from all sections of the community.
He says they also had children submitting their designs on pieces of paper and professionals sending their designs in slick presentations via email.
He has given his assurance as Prime Minister that they will come up with a design we can all be proud of, no matter who we are or where we come from.
A national committee of citizens will soon be announced and they will begin sifting through the entries to make a final selection.
Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Iliesa Delana is the chair of the flag committee.
Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama had earlier written to Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa to nominate persons for the committee.
However she has refused to make the nomination as they say that they do not support the change and want a referendum on the issue.
Bainimarama says the process will go ahead and once a number of selected designs are chosen by the committee, Fijians will be given an opportunity to make their comments through a special website and through text message, e mail, social media and the post.
The committee will carefully consider the feedback it receives from the public, and based on this feedback, will make a final selection for consideration by Cabinet.
The Prime Minister confirms that the final design will be submitted to Parliament, for its consideration when it sits in July.
The winner or winners will get to hoist the new flag on Independence Day, 10th October, 2015.
A plaque will also be erected with the winner's name or names and be displayed in Government Buildings as a permanent reminder of this important moment in our nation’s history.
