Balawa Questions SODELPA’s Stand on Constitution Bill

People’s Alliance Party General Secretary Sila Balawa has questioned SODELPA’s refusal to support the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 in its current form, saying the party owes its supporters an explanation after years of campaigning for constitutional change.

Balawa said SODELPA had contested the 2014, 2018 and 2022 general elections on a platform of protecting iTaukei interests and opposing the 2013 Constitution.

He said reviewing the Constitution and considering amendments were also commitments under the Coalition Agreement.

“How can you spend years campaigning for constitutional change, only to withhold your support when the opportunity finally arrives?” Balawa asked.

His comments follow SODELPA’s stated position that it will not support the Bill’s third reading in its current form.

Balawa also rejected criticism that the Coalition Government should have amended the Constitution within its first 100 days or first two years, saying it lacked the parliamentary numbers.

Following the 2022 election, the Coalition held 29 of Parliament’s 55 seats, while FijiFirst held 26. Balawa said the original three-quarters requirement meant constitutional amendments needed at least 42 votes.

“The Coalition had only 29 MPs. So where were the additional 13 votes supposed to come from within the first 100 days?” he said.

Balawa said the political landscape changed following FijiFirst’s deregistration in July 2024 and the subsequent decision by 11 former FijiFirst MPs to support the Government.

He said the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion of 29 August 2025 provided a legal pathway for reform by clarifying the parliamentary support required for constitutional amendments.

According to Balawa, the Speaker’s ruling means 35 votes would be required if all 53 MPs occupying parliamentary seats were present and seated.

He said People’s Alliance, NFP and the 11 Independent MPs supporting the Government could collectively provide those votes without SODELPA, provided all supported the Bill.

Balawa acknowledged SODELPA’s right to scrutinise the proposed legislation but said it must explain how its position aligned with its election commitments.

“SODELPA has every right to scrutinise Bill 32, but it also has a responsibility to explain to its supporters why it is refusing to support the Bill in its current form,” he said.