25 Mar 2008

Fiji could see constitution dumped, says expert

8:29 am on 25 March 2008

One of the co-authors of the Fiji constitution, Brij Lal, says the military could try to abolish the constitution should the Suva High Court rule that the 2006 coup was illegal.

The case was brought by the ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, who claims that the interim government led by the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, is illegal.

Arguments in the case were heard over the past two weeks, with the court due to deliver its ruling on notice.

Professor Lal says it's not certain the verdict will be accepted.

"There may be a willingness to abide by the constitutional provisions and let the Laisenia Qarase government return to office or they may simply do away with the constitution and start all over again."

Brij Lal.

The military has said it is working towards holding fresh elections in a year.