It’s good Fiji has a constitution

Friday, September 13th, 2013

The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has welcomed the 2013 Constitution saying it’s good that Fiji has one.

Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said they were grateful that government kept its promise for a new Constitution before the general elections in September next year.

“Fiji needs a democratic government and we are on the right path to achieve that,” Mr Nawadra said.

When asked of his view on the content of the Constitution, Mr Nawadra said he had not read the document.

“But I am glad we have a Constitution that will guide us through democracy.”

The New Zealand Government has also recognised that progress is being made towards the restoration of democracy.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the New Zealand Government welcomed recent moves toward elections, including the release of the final constitution, and wanted to support the elections process.

“A senior official from the New Zealand Electoral Commission has recently participated in elections planning work in Fiji. New Zealand will now offer to resource the on-going work that is taking place.”

“The Cabinet has also agreed some changes which recognise both the progress that has been made in Fiji and the need for support for free and fair elections.”

Not everyone is happy however. Last Friday when about 100 people assembled across the road from Fiji’s presidential residence in Suva to protest against the promulgation of a new constitution, Police took fourteen of them into custody and then released some hours later without formal charge.

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