THE Constitution Commission team was asked by Naocobau villager Samuela Seru to explain the reason why all the citizens in the country should be referred to as Fijians.
He made the request to the Constitution Commission team at Namarai Village in Ra.
"Most of us in the villagers don't know the reasons why all citizens are now called Fijians," he told the commission.
"Can you explain to us how come all races such as Indo Fijians, Chinese and others are now called Fijians? We need to know so that we can inform our fellow villagers."
Responding to the question, commission member Taufa Vakatale said it was not the commission's duty to offer an explanation.
"This committee cannot answer that question because this is something imposed by the government and it is a decree by government that all citizens of this country be called Fijians — we cannot answer this question for you," she said.
Mr Seru said if all citizens were to be referred to as Fijians then a number of mandatory requirements should be put in place.
"Since we are all called Fijians, we have to do what has been taught by our ancestors and this should be observed by all races — the Great Council of Chiefs to be re-established as this is one of the bodies that safeguards the rights of the Fijians."