Hon. Pio Tikoduadua Pushes for Constitutional Reform to Restore Democracy

Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, has called for urgent constitutional reform, arguing that Fiji's current amendment process is undemocratic and prevents meaningful change.

Speaking in Parliament on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, Tikoduadua criticized the 2013 Constitution, stating that it was imposed without a democratic mandate and now requires an “impossible threshold” of 75% of all registered voters in a national referendum for any amendments.

“This is not democracy. This is a locked door, a deliberate design to ensure that change is nearly impossible,” he said.

The proposed Bill seeks to allow constitutional amendments through a two-thirds majority in Parliament, similar to processes used in past Fijian constitutions and established democracies like the United States and Australia.

Tikoduadua emphasized that the change would not strip away rights but rather “restore democracy” by making constitutional reform achievable.

Acknowledging concerns from critics, Tikoduadua announced that if the Bill is passed, the government will seek a Supreme Court ruling on whether the referendum requirement is legally justified.

“We will abide by the ruling. If the Supreme Court upholds the referendum requirement, we will respect that decision,” he assured Parliament. He also sought to allay fears about potential misuse of constitutional amendments, pledging to protect the rights of all Fijians, including indigenous landowners and minority communities.

“If any proposal threatens the dignity, security, or rights of any community in Fiji, I will stand against it with everything I have,” he vowed.

The Minister framed the Bill as a step towards a more inclusive, accountable, and adaptable democracy, stating that Fiji must move beyond its history of political division and imposed rule.

“We must be a democracy in function, in spirit, in practice,” he declared.

The Bill is expected to spark intense debate, with opposition voices already questioning the speed of the reform and its potential implications. However, Tikoduadua insisted that the right to shape Fiji’s governance must belong to its people not past military regimes.

The debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 is set to continue in the coming days.