Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said it makes sense for the Prime Minister to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
However, he stresses that this does not mean that the Prime Minister will be the Army Commander.
According to the draft constitution, the Prime Minister is the head of government and the Commander-in-Chief of the RFMF.
The President is currently the Commander-in-Chief of the military.
The draft prepared by the government legal team states that the President is the Head of State and the executive authority of the
State is vested in the President.
It proposes that in the exercise of his or her powers and executive authority, the President acts only on the advice of cabinet or a minister or of some other body or authority prescribed by the constitution.
The draft proposes that the President should be appointed by parliament.
Whenever a vacancy arises in the office of the President, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition should nominate one name each to the Speaker who shall put both the names to the floor of parliament for voting by the members of parliament.
Candidates for the office of President must be persons who have had a distinguished career in any aspect of national or international life, hold only a Fijian citizenship, not be a member of or hold any office in any political party, not hold any public office, not be a candidate for election to any other office in the state and not have been subject to a sentence of imprisonment for an offence at any time during the 5 years immediately before being nominated.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Bainimarama says it makes sense for PM to be Commander-in-Chief
Related Stories
We are committed to holding elections – Siromi Turaga
Questions were raised during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion on whether the government can delay the general elections and complete the Constitution review however Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga
Fijian economy on track to grow for fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4%
The Fijian economy is on track to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2025 by 3.4 percent, following a 3.5 percent expansion in 2024. The growth forecast is revised up marginally from the 3.2 percent projected
Heavy Rain Alert for Eastern Viti Levu, Southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and maritime areas
A heavy rain alert is now in force for the eastern half of Viti Levu (Navua–Suva–Nausori to Serua–Namosi to Tailevu–Naitasiri–Ra areas), southern Bua, Cakaudrove, Taveuni and nearby smaller islands, the Lau an
We need to dismantle criminal enterprises, hitting them where it hurts most - Speaker
Speaker of Parliament, Filimone Jitoko has highlighted during the opening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Conference that there is a need for prosecutors in the country to master the digital frontie
Fiji has learned from its past and we know that restricting media engagement or access is not the answer - Tabuya
At all times, the public interest in accessing information and the media’s role in scrutinising government must outweigh any unilateral power to silence or sideline a news outlet. In Fiji, we uphold the principle that
Wailea resident raises concerns about drug issues raised countless times with Police while COMPOL says official complaint must be lodged
Wailea Settlement Community leader, Inoke Utona says he has raised the issue of drug use and dealing in their area countless times with the authorities but there has still been no response from Police. However when