Proposed Constitutional Commission Needs to be Representative

 

The Citizens Constitutional Forum welcomes the call by the National Peoples Charter Advisory Council to establish a Constitutional Commission as soon as possible to start the process of constitutional development.

The Charter Advisory Council, in its report handed to the Prime Minister’s Office in early May has recommended that the process of formulating the Constitution needs to be fast tracked as work has been limited so far. The report also reaffirms the significance of the review of the electoral process and deciding on what voting system to adopt in 2014.

“We acknowledge the findings of the Council Report which for the first time has made it known to everyone the need to hasten the processes required to formulate the constitution, which would also outline the new electoral system under which the 2014general elections are to be conducted,” says CCF Chief Executive Officer Reverend Akuila Yabaki.

“This has now also opened the door for all stakeholders to put aside their differences and step forward to be part of this historic process.  It is critically important for the composition of the proposed Constitution Commission to be inclusive and representative, engaging all relevant stakeholders and civil society organizations.   Fiji’s constitution must be focused on ending the coup culture, eradicating race based policies and raced based voting, and reflect the diversity of the Fiji people.”

The CCF stresses that by allowing wide participation and inclusive dialogue on the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land, would mean that it would ultimately be a document for the people and by the people of Fiji” stated Reverend Yabaki.