Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji regime calls for people to step forward for Constituent Assembly

Posted at 06:41 on 10 December, 2012 UTC

Fiji’s interim government has called for groups and individuals to put themselves forward for the body which will debate the new constitution.

The Constituent Assembly’s members will be appointed by interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama to debate and adopt Fiji’s fourth constitution.

The regime leader says appointees will need to demonstrate that they represent a significant constituency in the country.

The regime has ruled that the Assembly consist of the broadest possible cross-section of Fiji and those sitting on it adhere to its so called non-negotiable principles for the constitution.

These include immunity for coup-makers, voting along non ethnic lines and a secular state.