While welcoming the consultation process, Lal expressed disappointment at the low public turnout at the hearings.
Fiji Labour Party says Referendum Bill too restrictiveBy Priya Nand 20/01/2026
Fiji Labour Party representative Dr Sunil KumarThe Fiji Labour Party says the current National Referendum Bill is too restrictive and fails to meet accepted democratic standards, calling for several clauses to be removed to allow a freer and fairer process.
This was highlighted by Fiji Labour Party representative Dr Sunil Kumar during his submission on the Bill before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Dr Kumar stressed that the party has been highly critical of the Bill, particularly Clauses 22, 23, 27 and Clause 11, which he says place serious limits on how a referendum would be conducted.
He says the Fiji Labour Party's position is that the Bill is unconstitutional and undemocratic as it denies governmental freedom and political rights.
He says Clause 22 also allows arrest without warrant for display of materials, and police can arrest based on their own view which creates a chilling environment against political parties, particularly small ones.
He says a constitutional referendum must enable open debate and informed consent.
He says the Fiji Labour Party is urging the Government to follow international standards, including the Venice Commission norms, particularly the latest 2022 guidelines, when shaping the referendum framework.
Dr Kumar says there are also concerns about how referendum questions would be framed and administered.
He says the process should involve independent expertise and broader consultation.
Dr Kumar further warned against the role of the state in influencing referendum outcomes, saying there must be clauses that restrict how the state conducts itself during the referendum process.
He says the way the state spends, propagates, or creates narratives to achieve outcomes it favours can be biased and detrimental to communities and future generations.
INSERT: Kumar on Bill 19th January
Dr Kumar says there must be more time and space for discussion and public engagement before any referendum is held.
He stresses that information must be disseminated at the community level because, ultimately, it is the people who matter.
The Fiji Labour Party has called for broader national discussion before the Referendum Bill is finalised.
Public consultations continue at the Parliament Complex today.
Naidu warns clauses in Referendum Bill restrict freedom of expression and political rightsBy Priya Nand 20/01/2026
Prominent lawyer Richard Naidu has strongly objected to clauses 22, 23 and 27 of the National Referendum Bill, arguing that they unjustifiably restrict freedom of expression and political rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
While making his submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights during consultations on the Bill, Naidu has warned that the Bill’s attempt to regulate “misleading and deceptive†material risks criminalising legitimate political opinion.
Focusing on clause 23, Naidu says the provision fails to recognise the subjective nature of political debate, particularly in a referendum that is not about political parties but about competing ideas and causes.
He questions why the Bill appears to restrict basic campaign activities such as door-to-door canvassing.
He says home visits are a fundamental part of democratic participation.
INSERT: Naidu on voting 20th Jan
Naidu also criticised clause 27, which limits the involvement of people under 18 years in referendum-related activities.
He questions why children cannot be taught about how democracy works in practice.
Naidu expresses concern that, despite objections being raised publicly and during the consultation process, the government continues to defend the clauses.
He says the government has not really explained why these clauses are there and that, when objections were raised, instead of saying they had been noted, the government appeared to double down and justify why the clauses existed.
Naidu rejected the government’s claim that the provisions reflect international best practice, particularly comparisons with Singapore, saying that similar clauses in Singapore’s referendum law date back to 1961.
He says Singapore is hardly a model of freedom of expression, adding that international rankings place Fiji ahead of Singapore on civil and political rights.
@fijivillage.com Prominent lawyer Richard Naidu says the government should remove Clauses 22, 23, and 27 from the National Referendum Bill (No. 46 of 2025)
♬ original sound - fijivillage
He says the law is 65 years old and does not make sense in 2025 or 2026.
Despite his criticism, Naidu says he supports the need for a referendum law, noting that the Supreme Court has made it clear that constitutional change must be approved by referendum.
He says there needs to be a Bill, but in the course of preparing a document that may not be perfect, clauses that restrict people’s fundamental rights, such as clauses 22, 23 and 27, should not be included.
Naidu told the committee that the three clauses are unnecessary and that the legislation would remain workable and intact without them.
Public consultations on the National Referendum Bill continue at the Parliament Complex.
@fijivillage.com Naidu warns clauses in Referendum Bill restrict freedom of expression and political rights #FijiNews ♬ original sound - fijivillage
Prominent lawyer Richard Naidu has strongly objected to clauses 22, 23 and 27 of the National Referendum Bill, arguing that they unjustifiably restrict freedom of expression and political rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
While making his submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights during consultations on the Bill, Naidu has warned that the Bill’s attempt to regulate “misleading and deceptive†material risks criminalising legitimate political opinion.
Focusing on clause 23, Naidu says the provision fails to recognise the subjective nature of political debate, particularly in a referendum that is not about political parties but about competing ideas and causes.
He questions why the Bill appears to restrict basic campaign activities such as door-to-door canvassing.
He says home visits are a fundamental part of democratic participation.
INSERT: Naidu on voting 20th Jan
Naidu also criticised clause 27, which limits the involvement of people under 18 years in referendum-related activities.
He questions why children cannot be taught about how democracy works in practice.
Naidu expresses concern that, despite objections being raised publicly and during the consultation process, the government continues to defend the clauses.
He says the government has not really explained why these clauses are there and that, when objections were raised, instead of saying they had been noted, the government appeared to double down and justify why the clauses existed.
Naidu rejected the government’s claim that the provisions reflect international best practice, particularly comparisons with Singapore, saying that similar clauses in Singapore’s referendum law date back to 1961.
He says Singapore is hardly a model of freedom of expression, adding that international rankings place Fiji ahead of Singapore on civil and political rights.
@fijivillage.com Prominent lawyer Richard Naidu says the government should remove Clauses 22, 23, and 27 from the National Referendum Bill (No. 46 of 2025)
♬ original sound - fijivillage
He says the law is 65 years old and does not make sense in 2025 or 2026.
Despite his criticism, Naidu says he supports the need for a referendum law, noting that the Supreme Court has made it clear that constitutional change must be approved by referendum.
He says there needs to be a Bill, but in the course of preparing a document that may not be perfect, clauses that restrict people’s fundamental rights, such as clauses 22, 23 and 27, should not be included.
Naidu told the committee that the three clauses are unnecessary and that the legislation would remain workable and intact without them.
Public consultations on the National Referendum Bill continue at the Parliament Complex.
@fijivillage.com Naidu warns clauses in Referendum Bill restrict freedom of expression and political rights #FijiNews ♬ original sound - fijivillage
