4 Oct 2007

Fiji's Citizens Constitutional Forum supports plans to end race-based voting

11:29 am on 4 October 2007

The Citizens Constitutional Forum says the interim Fiji prime minister's electoral reform proposal to eliminate race-based voting is good for the country

Commodore Bainimarama outlined the proposal in his address to the United Nations General Assembly.

The CCF's executive director, Rev Akuila Yabaki, has told Radio Legend that Fiji needs to get rid of race-based voting.

He says South Africa had done that through its Truth and Reconciliation Commission and no political party there can include racist policies in its manifesto.

He says they found that race based systems generate the kinds of problems that country had come out of.

The Rev Yabaki says the proposal can be discussed and mandated through the People's Charter but any change to the constitution has to be done legally and must await the next parliament.