Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama stressed that the Yash Ghai Commission draft constitution will not come back following a call by the United Front for a Democratic Fiji.
The United Front for a Democratic Fiji which includes Ratu Jone Kubuabola, Sakiusa Raivoce, Dr Tupeni Baba, Lavenia Padarath, Mahendra Chaudhry, Mick Beddoes and Attar Singh met with the Commonwealth fact-finding Mission team earlier this week and met the Pacific Islands Forum Ministerial Contact Group earlier this afternoon.
The United Front has made proposals that the Ghai Commission draft constitution should be referred to a fully representative Constituent Assembly which is to be appointed by the President following consultations with political parties and key stakeholders.
They have also proposed that the Ghai draft constitution should then be put to a national referendum for the approval of the people of Fiji which will give it legal authority and legitimacy.
They proposed that the Political Parties Decree should be rescinded.
The group also proposed that a caretaker administration should be appointed as provided for in the Ghai Commission draft however this to be done from the effective date of the new constitution.
They have also proposed that the international community must toughen its stance against Fiji if the government does not comply.
When questioned, Commodore Bainimarama told Fijivillage that the United Front should understand that his stand will not change.
The Prime Minister said they have made an informed decision and put in sections from the Ghai Commission draft that will benefit the people of the country.
He also stressed that the Political Parties Registration Decree will not be removed as that will require every party that is contesting the elections to be transparent and declare their assets, income, funding and liabilities.
However, Commodore Bainimarama has made it clear that raising concerns with the international community and asking for tougher action against Fiji, will not change the path being taken towards democratic elections by September next year.
Mahendra Chaudhry who will be part of the United Front that meets with the Forum Ministerial Contact Group in the next hour said they maintain their stand.
Chaudhry is calling for a national referendum and he insists that politicians did not influence Yash Ghai as claimed.
He also said they accept that there should be no more race based voting.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Ghai draft will not come back - PM
