Unity Fiji says the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill is effectively a new Constitution and Fijians must be given sufficient time to understand its implications before voting in a national referendum.
In its written submission to Parliament’s Special Committee on 22 October, the party called for the suspension of the Bill and the postponement of the full referendum until after the 2027 general elections.
Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube said describing the proposed changes as amendments was misleading because they would fundamentally reshape Fiji’s system of governance.
The party said the Bill rewrites the preamble, introduces a new electoral system, restores the Senate and expands immunity provisions.
It argued that these were substantial constitutional changes that would affect how Fiji is governed for generations.
“Unity Fiji is not opposed to changing the imposed 2013 Constitution. We have fought for it since 2017,” Narube said.
“But a constitution is the people’s compact, and the people cannot consent to what they do not understand.”
The party raised concerns that the proposed referendum timetable would leave voters approximately five weeks between the Bill’s third reading and polling day to understand the constitutional changes.
It said the referendum question would only be finalised when the writ was issued under the National Referendum Act 2026, further limiting the time available for public education.
Unity Fiji argued that meaningful voter education in English, iTaukei and Fiji Hindi, particularly in remote communities and among Fijians overseas, could not realistically be completed within that period.
The party also warned that holding Fiji’s first national referendum shortly before the general election, which it said must take place by 06 February 2027, could place significant pressure on the Fijian Elections Office.
As an alternative, Unity Fiji proposed holding a simplified referendum containing no more than five fundamental constitutional questions alongside the general election.
These could cover immunity provisions, the national identity term “Fijian”, the proposed name iTaukei ni Vanua for the Indigenous community and the electoral system.
The party said the incoming Government could use the results to revise the proposed Constitution before conducting comprehensive grassroots consultations and holding a full referendum later in 2027.
It estimated that combining the simplified referendum with the general election could save taxpayers approximately $20 million (US$10 million) this year.
Unity Fiji also called for the election campaign to continue without interruption and for clear referendum rules covering campaign spending, equal media access and impartial voter information.
Narube warned against rushing the constitutional reform process.
“A Constitution adopted in haste will carry the same doubts about its legitimacy as the 2013 Constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and The People’s Alliance Party (PAP) are at odds over the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, with both parties questioning each other’s commitment to constitutional reform.
The dispute follows a statement by PAP general secretary Sila Balawa, who questioned SODELPA’s decision to withhold support for Bill 32 despite campaigning for constitutional change in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 general elections.
Balawa argued that the Coalition Government lacked the parliamentary numbers to amend the Constitution in its early years but now had the support needed to pass the Bill.
“SODELPA has a responsibility to explain to its supporters why it was opposing the Bill in its current form,” he said.
However, SODELPA has rejected PAP’s criticism, accusing the party of pushing a Cabinet-drafted Bill that failed to “adequately protect iTaukei interests” and “traditional institutions”.
In a statement, SODELPA said it would not support the Bill at its third reading in its current form, citing concerns over indigenous mineral rights, the Bose Levu Vakaturaga and immunity provisions.
The party also criticised provisions it said could allow Parliament’s term to be extended by up to 12 months during a national crisis.
“PAP now tries to justify its actions by claiming that bringing in eleven former FijiFirst MPs (G11) was the only way to meet parliamentary numbers under the Supreme Court’s ruling,” SODELPA said.
“This is a false narrative. Bringing in the G11 was a political choice by PAP, to try and undermine SODELPA’s influence in the Coalition Government.”
It also claimed that promises made when the coalition was formed, including an agreement concerning the Presidency, had not been fulfilled.
While PAP maintains that the numbers are now available to advance reform, SODELPA insists that parliamentary support alone does not make the proposed changes acceptable…..PACNEWS