Fiji's 'Coalition' trio out of the Constituent Assembly

Powerful trio: sidelined and opting out of the Constituent Assembly

The leader of the United Peoples Party, Mick Beddoes, says he would be showing acquiescence to the regime to have put his name forward for the Constituent Assembly.

Beddoes told Coupfourpointfive he was in touch via fax with the Permanent Secretary to the illegal prime minister's office, Pio Tikoduadua, on December the 31st following a meeting of the UFDF but he has yet to hear back from Tikoduadua.

"The United Peoples Party letter sought some clarification on a few concerns, which have still not been made known by the regime. I did say that once it clarified the issues we raised, the UPP would consider our participation. It's been a few days since then and we've had a public holiday in that time as well, so I'll give Pio time to respond. If they don't come back, then the UPP will not participate."

All eyes on Fiji over naming of Constituent Assembly

Nazhat Shameem: heading Assembly?

Fiji's neighbours are waking up to the sour end of the Constitution process but the regime is already forging ahead with its plans to establish the Constituent Assembly.

Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, Colonel Pio Tikoduadua, has told FBC News more than 100 people have put their names forward for the assembly.

Tikoduadua reiterated that the Assembly will be handpicked by Frank Bainimarama.

“The numbers will be determined by him. I think there is a fair idea what that will be. It will not be too small or too many but it will be a fair representation of what the society is."

According to the Constitution Commission, the Assembly is supposed to start its work of debating and adopting the draft Constitution in the second week of this month and finish by the third week of March.

With such a deadline, the regime will have already decided who will have the crucial say on whether the draft presented to the illegal president by Yash Ghai will go through as it is or be altered dramatically.

From comments made by land force commander, Mosese Tikoitoga, the suggested National Peoples Assembly has already been rejected.

Chandu Umrai: tipped for Assembly

Attar Singh: release draft.

Informed punters reckon Assembly contenders are Dewan Maharaj, Vijay Chand and Chandu Umaria.

Former high court judge, Nazhat Shameem, was tipped weeks ago to head the Assembly with the regime clearly wanting a trusted ally to drive the final debate.

New Year's speech flags point of no return in Fiji

BAINIMARAMA: Luka to the future.

He's promising a year of change but many know better.

In his New Year's speech, Fiji's self-appointed prime minister says 2013 heralds 'great promise for all Fijians.'

But anyone following the botched and predictable end of the six-month long consultation process for a new Constitution will doubt the integrity of Frank Bainimarama's speech.

Avoiding the public furore over soldier's burning copies of the Constitution and Yash Ghai's public condemnation, he maintains the country will celebrate a 'new modern and enduring Constitution by the end of the first quarter of 2013'.

KHAIYUM: Smarmy and barmy.

Bainimarama insists this year will set the scene for a momentous time in the country's history, the 2014 elections, which he says will be held under a new Constitution.

A Constitution he describes as '..... a Constitution that must ensure common and equal citizenry ... a Constitution that must ensure that any representative of the people in Parliament  must be elected under the principles of one person, one vote, one man.'

Many will swallow Bainimarama's speech, along with the revelation he's about to change the country's flag but this military dictatorship has proven time and time again it has its own agenda. We've seen it in the past six years and we see it again with the Constitution process.

Key Fiji political parties back proposed Constitution

United Front for a Democratic Fiji
31st December 2012

Political Parties unanimously endorse Draft 2012 Constitution
In a joint statement issued today, the main political parties in Fiji, the SDL, FLP and UPP have unanimously endorsed the Draft 2012 Constitution.

The statement said that the Parties having perused a copy of the draft constitution and supporting documents presented to the President by the Chair of the Constitution Commission Prof Yash Ghai, were satisfied that the people’s views and submissions had been fairly reflected in the document.

While there may be some areas of concern on a small number of issues, on balance the party leaders felt it was a constitution they could work with.

The draft constitution provides a sound basis for the governance of the nation based on the universal principles of respect for and the protection and promotion of human rights.