Damodar Says Opposition Should Have Voted for Constitutional Change

Div Damodar of the Damodar Group has expressed disappointment over the Opposition’s refusal to support amendments to the 2013 Fiji Constitution.

“It’s sad to see the Opposition not supporting the amendments to the Fiji Constitution 2013. In the Fiji General Election 2022, people voted for change. All the Coalition Government was doing was opening up a discussion on the amendments to the Fiji Constitution 2013. In order for this process to proceed, a vote in Parliament was needed," Damodar said.

He emphasized the missed opportunity to reinstate the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), which was excluded when the 2013 Constitution was drafted.

“I hope the Opposition realizes we have now missed out on the most important opportunity to include the Great Council of Chiefs—our highest traditional leaders of the land,” he added.

Damodar also praised Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the Coalition Government for upholding democratic principles.

“As our Honorable Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said, ‘We are here on the mandate of the people, who voted us to be here in their house. We are their representatives; we have their mandate to speak for them.’ I am very thankful to the Honorable Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the entire Coalition Government for allowing a free democratic process where the Opposition can speak and vote freely. It’s so great to see real democracy alive in our Fiji Parliament,” he said.

Despite his praise for the government’s democratic process, members of the Coalition—including Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica—have indicated they will take the matter to the Supreme Court, contradicting Damodar’s claims.