A Fiji academic says political parties and NGOs are standing up well to the challenges they are facing during the debate over Fiji's new constitution.
The regime leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama has reportedly warned the SDL party it could be closed down and the leader of one NGO won't be allowed a seat on the Constituent Assembly for purportedly not thinking positively about Fiji's future.
The regime has stipulated submissions to the Commission overseeing debate must adhere to principles already set, including non-ethnic voting.
The head of Development Studies at the University of the South Pacific, Professor Vijay Naidu, says the constitution debate is an important testing ground for political parties' very survival.
"It's a matter for them to negotiate these non-negotiables in a way that they are able to contribute to Fiji's future and I myself believe that there are strategies they can adopt."
He says political parties have not been undermined in terms of capability and mobilising their supporters.
