Electoral provisions of the Constitutional Review Commission of Fiji

Fiji’s 1990 Constitution was designed to protect and promote the interests of indigenous Fijians‘ disproportionate parliamentary representation, more influence for the Great Council of Chiefs, affirmative action in the public service, and the reservation of the office of Prime Minister for indigenous Fijians. Its affirmation of indigenous rights attracted some sympathy in the region, but the Constitution was also criticised for its racially discriminatory provisions, particularly towards the Indo-Fijians. The 1990 Constitution, however, contained provisions for its own review. A commission to review the constitution was appointed in March 1995. Its chairman was Sir Paul Reeves, a former Archbishop and Governor-General of New Zealand. The other two members were Tomasi Vakatora, a Fijian businessman and former cabinet minister, and Dr Brij Lal, an academic historian at the Australian National University. The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) submitted its report to the President of Fiji in September 1996.