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The National Federation Party is accusing the Prime Minister of trying to rush the Constitution Amendment Bill by announcing a referendum date before Parliament has completed the required constitutional process.

NFP Leader Professor Biman Prasad says the announcement of a December 9 referendum is premature and inconsistent with Section 160(3) of the 2013 Constitution.

Prof Prasad said Parliament has not yet passed the Constitution Amendment Bill and the bipartisan Special Parliamentary Committee has not started its scrutiny or consultation with the public.

He states that NFP supported the Bill at its second reading because it wants Fijians to have a say in the constitution-making process, but does not support fast-tracking it.

Prof Prasad says Parliamentarians cannot make a deal on the Constitution behind closed doors.

He says the people must first understand what the draft Constitution contains and have an opportunity to comment on any changes made by the Committee.

That process, according to Prof Prasad cannot be completed properly within 30 days.

He adds that if the process has to continue after the next general election, so be it.

Prof Prasad also said that the Prime Minister does not have the authority to set the referendum date at this stage.

He says under the law, that decision rests with the President and can only follow the passage of the Bill by Parliament.

Prof Prasad is also questioning how voters can make an informed decision on a Constitution they have barely had an opportunity to examine.

He states that any changes made by the Committee must also be taken back to the people before a referendum is held.

The  process, according to NFP  must bring Fijians together rather than deepen political divisions.

Prasad says NFP, the People’s Alliance and SODELPA previously rejected the 2013 Constitution because they considered it rushed and imposed by the then Bainimarama government.

He says Fiji must not repeat that process in 2026.

The NFP wants the Special Parliamentary Committee to consult widely, consider the public’s views and agree on any changes before the Bill returns for its third reading.

Prof Prasad said the referendum should instead be held next year, after the general election.

The Constitution Amendment Bill passed its second reading in Parliament last week with 38 votes in favour, five against and nine abstentions.

An 11-member Special Parliamentary Committee was then agreed to unanimously to scrutinise the Bill before it returns to Parliament next month.