Fiji's opposition Sodelpa party has submitted 7,000 reproductions of the current flag as entries to the government's competition for a new flag, which was concluded yesterday.
The flag change was announced earlier this year by the Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who said Fiji would remove the Union Jack and replace it with a design that symbolises the Pacific nation, not former colonial power Britain.
The opposition, which has said the process has been undemocratic, today submitted a petition with 2,000 signatures calling for a referendum on the change alongside the entries.
A billboard outside Vatuwaqa Primary School, authorised by the Fiji Government. Photo: Supplied
Sodelpa MP Bill Gavoka says the submission is a gift from thousands of patriotic citizens who don't want the flag changed.
He says that in proper democracy, government seeks the will of the people when such a monumental change is called for.
The government says Fijians will be given an opportunity to vote on the final design of the national flag via social media and text platforms.
