Work on Fiji’s new constitution will start in September next year and the government has confirmed that a constitutional office will be established in 2012.
A sum of $450,000 has been allocated in the 2012 National Budget for the work on the new constitution to start.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the immediate focus will be on the development and adoption of a new electoral system.
This will include provisions to ensure equal suffrage and equal opportunity for all voters regardless of race, gender or circumstance.
A budgetary allocation of $5.9 million is being provided to fund preparatory works for the 2014 general elections.
The $5.9 million is also for the electronic voters registration that is expected to start from January next year.
It has also been announced that consultations with the various stakeholders on the drafting of the new constitution will be extended beyond political parties.
The process will include civil society, NGO’s and the general public.
Issues for the discussion during constitution consultations will include the size of the new parliament, the length of the term of office of a government and the system of checks and balances.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
Work on new constitution to start next year
