26 Oct 2007

More problems for Fiji's Constituency Boundaries Commission

11:02 am on 26 October 2007

Fiji lawyer, Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau, says she accepts that being a former senator rules her out from being the Constituency Boundaries Commission's new chairwoman.

Fiji's President's appointment of Adi Koila as new chair was announced yesterday.

But the Fiji Times reported late yesterday that her Senate membership in the last term automatically disqualifies her from the position.

Adi Koila was to replace lawyer Ulamila Fa-Tuituku as the chairwoman, after the latter recently withdrew for family commitments.

However Adi Koila says she accepts that she cannot take up the role partly because of the current situation in Fiji.

"Well because of the fact that the People's Charter is being supported at the Forum and I think the main issue is that people want the country to progress. If people put in and just assess moving the country forward, that was a main issue. But the fact is we're guided by the constitution in my case."

Meanwhile, the interim Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has clarified that the constitution precludes Adi Koila's qualification for the position.