General elections to be held in Fiji

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 1

General elections to be held in Fiji

By

JAMES SHRIMPTON

of AAP, through NZPA

Fiji’s Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, last evening announced plans for two General Elections in his formula for a return to democracy in Fiji after last month’s military coup.

The Governor-General announced his plans in a national radio broadcast ■' He said that an uncontested election would be called so that a new House of Representatives, could pass amendments to the Constitution strengthening the rights of indigenous Fijians. ; Parliament wo.uld then be dissolved • again, and “fresh and fully contested” elections would be conducted as soon as possible under the amended-'Constitution. ' Ratu Penaia last evening called on “all the faith and understanding‘that the people of Fiji and their leaders can muster.” ■ ' ! HesaidthathewouJddraw on people from both sides of "the' " former Parliament, the Fijian Great Council of Chiefs, and others to form a constitutional review committee. A new council would then be formed to arrive at a consensus on proposed constitutional changes, and to agree on “a covenant of national reconciliation.”

* These recommendations would be translated into an act of Parliament. This would be passed in accordance with the present Constitution which decrees that only Parliament can change it “To achieve that I shall need to call for new elections under the present Constitution for a new House of Representatives,” Ratu Penaia said. “Under the covenant of national restoration, a formula will have been agreed to for a' national slate of candidates which, as far as I can call on the

good will and understanding of the people of Fiji, will result in an uncontested election.

“This new House of Representatives will, as part of the covenant of the national reconciliation formula, lawfully pass the amendments to the Constitution and thereafter seek dissolution of Parliament. ' "I will then call for fresh and fully contested elections which will be contested under the amended constitution as quickly as is legally possible.’

Ratu Penaia said that this was the most direct path he could take back to parliamentary democracy within the laws of the nation. V : '

"It |s a path which will fequire the deepest wells of good will, understanding and faith to be drawn upon,” he said.

“There will be doubters in our midst and there will be those who for reasons of their own will try to obstruct it “But I believe Fiji’s wells of good will, understanding and faith are deep enough for the task at hand.

“I trust in the people of Fiji to see that what I am putting before them is based on what I have judged to be the best path for all off. our. citizens.” Ratu Penaia said that it was a path that would safeguard the security of life, lead to a steady growth in property and business, and would be within the law.

“Put your trust in the, path that I am laying, before the nation and I give you my word that your trust will not be misplaced,” he said.

Further reports, page 2.