Fiji’s Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 encountered a serious obstacle last night when it was defeated in Parliament, failing to garner the necessary support for a constitutional change. The voting results revealed that 40 members were in favor, 14 opposed, and one member abstained, falling short of the required three-quarters majority of 41 votes as stipulated by the Standing Orders. Speaker of the House Filimone Jitoko reaffirmed the significance of following legislative procedures, stating, “Decisions must be determined by a majority of votes from members present and voting.”
This defeat preserves the existing high voting threshold for constitutional amendments, which has faced criticism for making changes to the constitution nearly unattainable. Government officials had previously proposed lowering this requirement from three-quarters to two-thirds, aiming to create a more flexible and democratic amendment process. This proposal is part of ongoing discussions around the 2013 Constitution, which many believe lacks democratic legitimacy in its current framework.
Despite this setback, political leaders such as Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka remain steadfast in their pursuit of reform. They perceive this defeat as a temporary hurdle and emphasize their commitment to continuing dialogues with citizens aimed at developing a more inclusive constitutional framework that reflects the diverse perspectives of the Fijian populace.
The current political environment highlights the essential role of civic engagement and dialogue in enhancing democracy, suggesting a hopeful path towards potential reforms. Leaders are focused on fostering unity and inclusivity, hoping to empower citizens through provisions in the Constitution that encapsulate the aspirations of all Fijians. This commitment signals a positive outlook for the strengthening of democratic values in Fiji’s governance.
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