MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT ON THE
FIJI CONSTITUTION BILL 2026
Many people have
strong views on the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 but may not have
the time, confidence, legal knowledge or writing experience to prepare a formal
submission.
To help address
this, I have prepared a Template Submission that individuals, families,
villages, mataqali, yavusa, church groups, youth groups, women's groups,
community organisations and others can use as a basis for their own submission
to Parliament. The template can be amended, shortened, expanded or personalised
to reflect your own views and circumstances.
The purpose is not
to tell people what to think, but to make it easier for ordinary citizens to
participate in the constitutional consultation process and have their voices
heard.
This approach is not
new. During my time serving as a Pacific Arts Councillor on the New Zealand
Arts Council (1988-1994), I developed and used a similar template submission
process to mobilise Pacific communities throughout New Zealand when proposed
legislation threatened to reduce recognition of Pacific peoples and weaken
support for Pacific arts within government. The initiative enabled many Pacific
communities and organisations that would not otherwise have participated to
make submissions and contribute to the policy process.
Democracy works best
when people participate.
The Constitution
belongs to all Fijians. Whether you agree with every recommendation in the
template or only some of them, I encourage you to read it, discuss it with your
family or community, make any changes you wish, and lodge your own submission
before the closing date.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE SUBMISSION TEMPLATE
The template covers
matters such as:
• Indigenous and collective rights
• Bose Levu Vakaturaga and the Senate
• Christianity as a founding value of the State
• Judicial independence and judicial appointments
• Land, qoliqoli and resource rights
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent
• Return of surplus native land
• Prime Minister term limits
• Gender equality and representation
• Immunity and accountability provisions
• Public consultation and implementation arrangements.
Most importantly, it includes spaces for submitters to provide their own details, comments, endorsements and signatures. If the template helps even one village, church, community group or individual participate in this important national conversation, then it has achieved its purpose.
Over many years in public policy and community
development, I have learned that people often participate when the barriers to
participation are removed. This template is simply a tool to help ordinary
citizens have their voices heard. Whether you agree with all, some, or none of
the recommendations, I encourage you to read it, discuss it with your family,
village, church or organisation, adapt it to reflect your own views, and make a
submission. A Constitution ultimately belongs to the people, and every citizen
should have the opportunity to contribute to shaping it.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE SUBMISSION TEMPLATE
Read it. Discuss it. Modify it if necessary. Sign it if you agree. But
above all, participate.
Send your submission to the following email addresses:
1. 1. sakiusa.rakai@legislature.gov.fj
2. 2. jackson_cakacaka@yahoo.com
3. 3. susana.korovou@legislature.gov.fj
The future constitutional arrangements of Fiji should reflect the voices
of its people.
Sai Lealea MNZM
#FijiConstitution2026 #PublicConsultation #YourVoiceMatters #Democracy
#Vanua #CommunityParticipation #FijiFuture #CivicEngagement
