Independent Member of Parliament Viliame Naupoto has expressed his belief that any potential review or amendment of the Constitution is crucial for enhancing Fiji’s young democracy. Speaking in Parliament, Naupoto outlined his reasons for supporting a review of the 2013 Constitution, emphasizing that the process should not be perceived as “anti-anyone or any political party.”
He stated that the pursuit of perfection in democracy is ongoing and will extend into the future for generations to come. Naupoto highlighted the need to sever any perceived ties of the Constitution with specific political parties, as he believes this association has led to division and criticism since the first elections held under the Constitution in 2014.
In response, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka affirmed that the Coalition Government is committed to reviewing the Constitution. Naupoto added that any Truth and Reconciliation efforts should follow the Constitution’s review, as there has been significant debate about its validity and alignment with political interests.
He noted that calls for a review have been echoed by several individuals and organizations, including a political party not represented in Parliament, which recently announced its plans to pursue amendments to the Constitution. Public reactions to Naupoto’s statement have been mixed, prompting him to utilize his platform to advocate for a constitutional review.
Naupoto presented several reasons for the need to revisit the 2013 Constitution, asserting that its perceived association with a single political party has hindered its acceptance. He declared that the Constitution should remain a non-partisan document and should be respected regardless of political affiliation.
To foster widespread support, he believes the Constitution should be revisited by the people, rather than remaining tied to any one political entity.