Referendum can end constitutional uncertainty, says Rigamoto

A referendum on proposed constitutional changes would give Fijians the final say on the country's future and remove uncertainty over the Government's reform plans, former minister Marieta Rigamoto says.

Ms Rigamoto said public confusion over the proposed constitutional amendments made a referendum the best way to determine whether Fijians supported the changes.

"It's good to have the referendum so it's clear to everybody that this is what the country wants because at the moment people are not sure whether we are coming or going," she said.

Ms Rigamoto, who served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006, said a referendum would provide a clear answer on whether the people backed the proposed constitutional changes.

However, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili has cautioned that holding Fiji's first referendum would be a lengthy process.

"The process of a referendum is not easy; it is a different process altogether," he said during an earlier media briefing.

Justice Ratuvili said Fiji did not have the legal framework required to conduct a referendum and Parliament would first need to establish the necessary legislation.

"First of all, an amendment Act must be passed in Parliament. The Constitution Review Committee has to complete its work, which will translate into a Bill.

"In order to run a referendum, Parliament, or another body appointed by Parliament, has to determine the question. That in itself is a process. It must decide whether it will be a yes-or-no question or whether there will be a range of options. That will be determined by the final Bill."

The Constitution Review Committee is expected to complete its work by the end of this month.