The Constitution Review Commission has completed its review of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution and handed over its Review Report and a draft amended Constitution to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

CRC Chairperson Sevuloni Valenitabua says the proposed Constitution includes recommendations to reinstate the Bose Levu Vakaturaga, restore the Senate as the Upper House of Parliament, and reinstate the Public Service Commission to oversee the public service.

The Commission says the draft is intended to take Fiji forward, recognising the country’s multiracial character, streamlining State services and encouraging peaceful coexistence among Fiji’s ethnic groups.

The recommendations followed more than five months of review and consultations, which generated 1,220 submissions from government ministries, statutory bodies, NGOs, individuals, villages, Tikinas and Yasanas.

Valenitabua says 3,873 people attended face-to-face consultations across Fiji.

The Commission also recommends retaining “Fijian” as Fiji’s national identity, while proposing a consultative process to allow people to determine what their common or national identity should be.

The media was not invited to the State House to cover this important event.