Opposition MP Rinesh Sharma Votes Against Constitution Amendment Bill Over Transparency Concerns

FIJI NEWS

By:Lusia Pio

3/11/20251 min read

Opposition Member of Parliament, Rinesh Sharma, has voted against the Constitution Amendment Bill, stating that he wants to know the exact content the Government intends to amend.

Sharma had previously voted in favor of tabling the Bill alongside MPs Sanjay Kirpal, Shalen Kumar, and Sachida Nand.

However, he maintains that he still stands by his decision to seek dialogue and debate.

Sharma is calling on the Government to present the full content of the proposed constitutional amendments to both Parliament and the people of Fiji.

He added that if the management of the deregistered FijiFirst party had not resigned, the party would have remained intact and the Constitution would have been better protected.

Sharma believes that this process can be revisited, and if the Government is transparent, they could receive more than 75 percent support.

Sharma further emphasized that removing the nationwide referendum would silence the voices of the people.

He argued that constitutional changes must be transparent and inclusive to maintain public trust, and that while amendments are needed, they should follow the correct process.