Seruiratu: Govt must carefully review submissions

Opposition Leader Inia Se-ruiratu says Government must carefully review submissions on amending the electoral law to removing the two-year residency requirement barring Fijians living overseas to contest the elections.

Following the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) meeting last month, chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, said the council would propose the removal of this part of the law.

The Electoral Act 2014 requires candidates to have lived in Fiji for at least 18 months out of the two years before nomination.

Mr Seruiratu said the GCC proposal reflected freedom of ex-pression in the country, which should be welcomed.

“But we have a responsibility as leaders, as legislators, to lis-ten to all members of the communities and the GCC for that reason as well,” he said.

“I think the responsibility for Government is, when it does come into Parliament, to consider all those that have been raised by the communities and then come up with what’s best for the country and not just for any particular grouping.”

Mr Seruiratu’s comments underline the balance lawmakers must maintain between respecting democratic freedoms, such as participation in elections, and ensuring policies reflect the collective interests of all Fijians.

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