The first round of talks between the interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama and political party leaders ended in the last hour with the parties agreeing to consensus building and further dialogue to convene the Proposed Presidential Political Dialogue Forum.

In the Outcome Documents released just moments ago, it is stated that the participants at the meeting were unanimous that Fiji must return to parliamentary rule.

It said while the positions in regard to issues such as electoral reform and timeline for election varied, the participants were also unanimous in their recognition of the need for political dialogue and for developing broad based consensus among key stakeholders.

They have also agreed in reiterating Fiji's request to the Commonwealth Secretariat and the United Nations to urgently convene and jointly facilitate the proposed Presidential Political Dialogue Forum.

The political party leaders and Commodore Bainimarama agreed to adopt a strong commitment to consensus building through genuine dialogue and consultation, commitment to restoring parliamentary governance, inclusiveness, respect for differences, open mindedness, recognition of the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional path and that going forward, the conduct of dialogue, to be through face to face discussions and through meetings as that of Political party leaders and the Presidential political dialogue forum.

Soon after the meeting, Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry told Fijivillage that the meeting was very positive and with the steps now being taken, general elections could be held sooner than many people think.

Former Prime Minister and SDL Leader Laisenia Qarase said he is happy with the meeting today and hopes the dialogue process continues to take Fiji forward and towards early elections.

National Federation Party Pramod Rae said all politicians were given equal chance to speak their views out.

Fiji Peoples Party Leader Charan Jeet Singh said they political party leaders have stressed to Commodore Bainimarama the need for early elections.

While addressing the 23 political party leaders and officials, interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama stressed that the journey they are embarking on today will certainly not be a smooth one, we will stumble and fall if we continue to just look back and remain mired in finger-pointing and in the blame game.

Commodore Bainimarama then laid out two options available to the political parties in taking Fiji forward.

Bainimarama said the first option is to move forward through dialogue, confidence building and by developing a broad based consensus for the change agenda, with a view to ensuring the democratically elected Governments undertake the implementation.

To achieve the first option, Bainimarama said it is imperative that in the President's Political Dialogue Forum, a broad consensus must be reached on changes to the electoral system and also for these to be introduced through legal and constitutional means.

The second option he has given the party leaders is that in the absence of support for the change agenda from the political parties, there will be a delay in the holding of elections under a truly democratic electoral system.

He also reiterated to the political party leaders that have opposed the Interim Government and the Draft Charter initiative, that it is not too late to join the National Council for Building a Better Fiji to move the country forward.

Bainimarama adds the Interim Government is firm in its stance to change the electoral system to one that is fair to everyone and one that ensures sustainable political democracy.

Bainimarama also said we will have a People's Charter but only after the majority of Fiji's people embrace it, adding that it will not be and cannot be the " Bainimarama Charter”, or the " Charter of the Interim Government".