Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has told the 23 party leaders at the meeting at Parliament this morning, that there are two options available to them, the first, 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 added 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".
He anticipates the NCBBF to conclude its work by mid December this year.
And we have just received confirmation that the meeting has concluded at the parliament complex.
Our reporter at parliament Penijamini Seru spoke to the Fiji People’s Party leader Charan Jeet Singh who has confirmed that after the first round of talks, an agenda has been set for the proposed Presidential Dialogue Forum.
Singh also revealed that all political party leaders have stressed to Commodore Frank Bainimarama the need for early elections and further discussions will be held on the matter.
