Reforms update for US students

Felix Chaudhary
Wednesday, November 28, 2012

STUDENTS from the University of Delaware in the United States who will be visiting Fiji next month have been briefed on the political and economic situation here by the Fiji Embassy in Washington DC.

First secretary Ray Baleikasavu informed 24 second-year students about the reforms being undertaken by the government towards rebuilding the country into a non-racial, culturally-vibrant and united, well-governed, truly democratic nation and by 2014, the general elections.

"Constitutional and electoral reforms are currently being pursued to effect the change required to move the country forward," Mr Baleikasavu told the students.

"A new constitution is being formulated to reflect the universally-accepted principles of a common and equal citizenry; a secular state; removal of systemic corruption; an independent judiciary; elimination of discrimination; good and transparent governance; social justice; one person, one vote, one value; elimination of ethnic voting; proportional representation; and a voting age of 18 years."

Mr Baleikasavu said the voter registration process was successfully progressed with over 500,000 eligible voters registered.

The work of the Constitutional Review Commission has also been effectively pursued with the draft constitution expected to be ready by year's end. As part of their studies abroad, 24 students and three university professors will travel to Fiji.