23 Jan 2012

Fiji regime wants credible consultations on new constitution

10:05 am on 23 January 2012

The interim Attorney-General in Fiji, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, says consultations on a new constitution need to be inclusive if they are to be credible.

The regime says consultations will start next month but there will be no negotiation on a lowered voting age of 18, a system not based on ethnicity, and the guarantee of equal suffrage.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum would not confirm whether all voices would have their say in the process but pointed out some jurisdictions may not allow neo-nazi parties.

"You need to be able to put those things into perspective, but at no stage has ever comment been made that anybody will be excluded from the consultation process."

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says 16 political parties remain registered in Fiji.