THE vanua of Tavua has urged the Constitution Commission to reinstate Fiji's 1997 Constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the Tui Tavua and the district of Tavua, Apisalome Ulusova, said government should follow the laws of the 1997 Constitution.
"With the 1997 Constitution, the head of State will be the President of Fiji, the legislature, those in the public sector and a judicial system will be established," Mr Ulusova said.
He said the 1997 Constitution would allow for the reinstatement of the Great Council of Chiefs, a Senate and a House of Representatives.
"Apart from that, it would also allow for the appointment of a Prime Minister and a leader of opposition for Parliament," he said.
Mr Ulusova said while the reinstated Great Council of Chiefs should be independent of government, the members should only consist of those of chiefly birth and it would be responsible for appointing the President and the Vice President of Fiji.
On the rights of the iTaukei he said: "We were the first to arrive to this land. We were here before the birth of Christ more than 3000 years ago and our culture and tradition must always be protected."