7 Feb 2013

Fiji draft constitution further delayed, says FBC

9:50 am on 7 February 2013

Fiji's public broadcaster is reporting a further delay in the constitution process although the Fiji regime says its legal team is on track with drafting a new constitution.

According to FBC News, the draft will be now given to the Constituent Assembly next month to replace the draft which was dumped last month.

The Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the re-drafting is done through the Solicitor General's Office which will hand over the new constitution to the President.

The President will then give to the Constituent Assembly next month.

This contrasts with the televised announcement by the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, four weeks ago that the new draft would be ready by the end of January.

There has been no explanation what has caused the delay.

The Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has reportedly said the Solicitor General's Office will hand its draft to the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.

The President will then hand-over the new constitution to the Constituent Assembly next month.

According to Commodore Bainimarama, the constitution will also be ready next month.

However, the Constituent Assembly, which is to debate the document and was to begin sitting four weeks ago, is yet to be named and convened.