Constitution of Fiji: Chapter 15 - Definition

Chapter 15 Amendment of Constitution

Section 190 Alteration of Constitution

This Constitution maybe altered in the way set out in this Chapter and may not be altered in any other way.

Section 191 Special parliamentary majorities

(1) A Bill for the alteration of this Constitution must be expressed as a Bill for an Act to alter this Constitution. (2) Subject to subsection (3) and section 192, the Bill, with or without amendments passed by either House of the Parliament, must be passed by both Houses in accordance with the following procedure: (a) the Bill is read 3 times in each House and motions for the second and third readings are carried in each House; (b) at the second and third readings it is supported by the votes of at least two-thirds of the members of each House; (c) in the House of Representatives an interval of at least 60 days elapses between the second and third readings and each of those readings is preceded by full opportunity for debate; (d) the third reading of the Bill in the House of Representatives does not take place until after the relevant standing committee has reported on the Bill to that House. (3) Subject to section 192, if (a) the Prime Minister certifies that a particular Bill for the alteration of the Constitution is an urgent measure that ought to be dealt with by the House of Representatives under this subsection; and (b) the giving of that certificate is supported by a resolution passed by a majority of at least 53 members of the House; paragraphs (2)(b), (c) and (d) do not apply in relation to the consideration of the Bill by that House and the Bill is deemed to have been duly passed by that House if, on its third reading, it is passed by a majority of at least 53 members of that House.

Section 192 Veto power of certain members

(1) A Bill to alter subsection 51 (2) or this subsection is deemed not to have been passed by the House of Representatives unless at its third reading in that House it is supported by the votes of at least 15 of the 23 members elected under subparagraph 51 (1)(a)(i). (2) A Bill to alter subsection 51 (3) or this subsection is deemed not to have been passed by the House of Representatives unless at its third reading in that House it is supported by the votes of at least 13 of the 19 members elected under subparagraph 51 (1)(a)(ii). (3) A Bill to alter subsection 51 (5) or this subsection is deemed not to have been passed by the House of Representatives unless at its third reading in that House it is supported by the votes of at least 2 of the 3 members elected under paragraph 51 (1)(a)(iv). (4) A Bill to alter section 185 or this subsection is deemed not to have been passed by the Senate unless at its third reading in that House it is supported by the votes of at least 9 of the 14 members appointed under paragraph 64 (1)(a).