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Fiji Time: 12:38 PM on Thursday 20 June

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Fijians overseas can make submissions

Nanise Loanakadavu
Sunday, August 19, 2012

PEOPLE whose parents are Fijian but are citizens of another country have a right to make submissions to the Constitution Commission via electronic mail.

Commission member Penelope Moore said under the Fiji Constitutional Process (Constitution Commission) Decree 2012, anyone who no longer lived in Fiji but whose parents were Fijian could still have their say on what they wanted to be the new laws for the country.

"We want to make things easier for the people and this is one way they could reach us," Ms Moore said.

However, she said it was not clear whether any parent or both parents had to be Fijian citizens.

"What we've gathered so far is that both parents should be Fijian citizens," she added.

Ms Moore also highlighted that since day one, they had received many contradicting submissions. However, she said it was interesting to hear people sharing their own views of what they thought was right.

She said the constitutional process was the platform where people could discuss issues affecting their lives.

"We will try and find solutions to your problems but you need to come tell us what you think is right for you and for your children," Ms Moore said.

"You can send your submissions to the commission on constitution.fiji@gmail.com."

Ms Moore says once the commission launches its website it would be easy for people to make their submissions through the website if they found it difficult to travel to designated hearing venues.