Constitutional Offices Commission
Formation1997 (1997)
TypeAdvisory body
HeadquartersSuvavou House, Suva
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
Key people
6 members including the chairperson:

The Constitutional Offices Commission is an advisory body that is responsible for providing advice to the President of Fiji for the appointment of key officials within public offices in Fiji.[1]

History

Established by the 1997 Constitution of Fiji, the Commission originally consisted of a chairperson and two other individuals, all appointed by the President on the advice of the responsible Minister.[2] When the 2013 Constitution of Fiji came into effect, the Commission was re-established but came with many changes including the Prime Minister being a member of the Commission and chairperson.[3][4]

On 17 April 2015, the Commission held its first meeting since the 2006 coup under the premiership of Frank Bainimarama. Bainimarama's appointee was Ajith Kodagoda. Other members of the meeting included Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Opposition Leader Teimumu Kepa and her appointee, lawyer Richard Naidu.[5]

Controversy

In November 2015, Ben Groenewald resigned as Police Commissioner citing military interference. Frank Bainimarama as chairperson of the Commission then advised President Epeli Nailatikau to appoint Sitiveni Qiliho who is a senior military officer.[6] Teimumu Kepa called on Bainimarama to revoke the appointment stating that it was "inappropriate" and raised concerns about the independence of the police.[7] Richard Naidu resigned from the Commission claiming the body was politicised.[8][9]

Functions

According to the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, the Commission is responsible to provide advice to the President in relation to the appointment of key public positions:[3]

Members

The Commission is composed of six members:[4]

Current members

The current members of the Commission are:[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Fiji government urged to set up key commission". RNZ. 3 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "1997 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Constitution Net. 21 August 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 "2013 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 56. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023 – via Constitute Project.
  4. 1 2 "2013 Constitution of Fiji" (PDF). Fijian Government. p. 55. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2023 – via Constitute Project.
  5. ↑ "First meeting of Fiji's Constitutional Offices Commission held". RNZ. 17 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "Fiji Police Commissioner Groenewald resigns". RNZ. 10 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Fiji PM urged to rescind Qiliho appointment". RNZ. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Fiji government defends appointment". RNZ. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "Fiji's Qiliho appointment prompts Naidu resignation". RNZ. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  10. ↑ Fijivillage (6 January 2023). "Cema Bolabola and Tupou Draunidalo join Constitutional Offices Commission". www.fijivillage.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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