Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has acknowledged that the Government miscalculated its support for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, which fell one vote short of passing in Parliament on Tuesday night.
“We had indications that we would get the numbers, but during the debate, one of those that had indicated support did not turn up to vote,” Rabuka told the media. “So it is the percentage of the numbers of the members of parliament, not those present. We lost out.”
The Bill, which sought to lower the parliamentary threshold for constitutional amendments from a 75% majority to two-thirds (66%) and remove the requirement for a referendum, needed 41 votes to pass the second reading. It secured 40 votes in favour, 14 against, with one abstention (Did Not Press Vote – DNPV).
While Rabuka did not name the absent MP, records from the parliamentary session show that the only member who did not vote that night was Opposition MP Sanjay Kirpal. The failure to secure the necessary votes resulted in the bill’s defeat, dealing a significant setback to Rabuka’s administration, which offered the review of the 2013 Constitution as one of its key manifesto promises during its successful 2022 General Elections campaign.
Speaking on his absence, Kirpal said that he left Parliament due to illness. Kirpal confirmed that he attended the morning session but had to see a doctor, missing the debate and vote.
“I was sick, so I went to see a doctor,” Kirpal said. “If I was there, I would have voted No. But in the Constitution, you need at least 41 members to get it through, and whether I voted No or wasn’t in Parliament, the result would have been the same.”
Kirpal, one of four Opposition MPs who had supported the Government’ in the suspension of two standing orders to allow for the Bill’s first reading last week, stated today that his change of heart stemmed from his concerns regarding transparency and public participation.
“This shift would have effectively silenced the voices of the people, allowing significant constitutional amendments to be made without their direct input. Such a move risks eroding public trust, discouraging investor confidence, and ultimately leading to economic instability,” he said in a statement issued today.
Following the defeat, Rabuka dismissed calls for him to step down as Prime Minister, stating, “I was elected on the floor of Parliament, and it would have to be decided by Parliament.”
He also rejected claims that the Bill was rushed.
“It was not rushed. It was a platform manifesto issue for the party. We had to do it. And we failed. The mandate given to us by the people was not enough to pass the Bill.”
Rabuka indicated that the Government would explore alternative options to pursue constitutional amendments.
“We will have to consider the options and how viable those options are.”
One potential avenue under consideration is seeking a legal opinion from the Supreme Court on the interpretation of constitutional provisions. Under Section 91(5) of the 2013 Constitution, the Cabinet has the authority to request the Supreme Court’s input on such matters, a power it exercised last June.
Of the other three Opposition MPs who voted alongside Government last week, two—Sachida Nand and Shalen Kumar—maintained their support of the Bill this week, while Rinesh Sharma opposed it, siding with the Opposition on Tuesday.
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