FLP says lease uncertainty, electoral laws need reform

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has called for major reforms to Fiji's land lease system and electoral laws, arguing the current arrangements are failing farmers and weakening democratic accountability.

In its submission to the Constitution Review Commission today, the party said uncertainty surrounding agricultural leases continued to create hardship for farming families, particularly those who had lived and invested on leased land for generations.

Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said the current 30-year agricultural lease period was too short to encourage long-term investment.

"Secure long-term tenure is essential for farmers to plan, invest and pass viable operations to the next generation," he said.

The FLP called for an independent review of lease terms, rental arrangements and the distribution of lease income, arguing the current system was not serving either tenants or landowners effectively.

The party also urged the Government to protect prime agricultural land from being converted into residential and commercial developments, warning the trend threatened food security and rural livelihoods.

On electoral reform, the FLP proposed replacing Fiji's nationwide proportional representation voting system with a mixed-member proportional model combining constituency MPs with proportional representation.

The party argued the current system left MPs without direct accountability to communities and weakened Parliament's ability to scrutinise the Government.

It also called for stronger parliamentary committees, tighter legislative oversight and the removal of constitutional restrictions preventing some former prisoners and trade union officials from contesting elections.

Mr Chaudhry said the proposed reforms would strengthen democracy by improving accountability, representation and public confidence in Parliament.