Fiji Senate passes non-racial statute

SUVA, July 10 : The Fijian Senate today unanimously approved a new constitution that removes racial restrictions on the political power of the Indian community, which makes up almost half the population.

The senate’s approval paves the way for President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to enact the bill, which overturns the 1990 constitution that guaranteed indigenous Fijians dominance of Parliament.

All 31 Senators present in the 34-seat Upper House voted for the bill. The Lower House of representatives unanimously endorsed the bill last Thursday.

The amendments mean, among other things, the reduction of indigenous Fijian parliamentary seats from 37 in a 70-seat house of representatives under the 1990 constitution, to 23 in a new 71-seat house. Indian communal seats have also been reduced from 27 to 19 and the general electors (European and other Pacific islanders living in Fiji) from five to three. There are to be 25 open seats, while one seat has been reserved for the Rotumans on the Polynesian Island of Rotuma, which is part of Fiji. The amendments also end the 1990 ban on anyone but an indigenous Fijian becoming prime minister.