The 1997 Constitution put into effect the new composition of the House of Representatives, which now consists of 71 members elected to represent single member constituencies. The 71 members are elected as follows:

• 46 are elected by voters registered on one of 4 separate electorate rolls, namely;
  1. a roll of voters who are registered as Fijians where 23 members are elected;
  2. a roll of voters who are registered as Indians where 19 members are elected;
  3. a roll of voters who are registered as Rotumans where 1 member is elected;
  4. a roll of voters who are registered otherwise as Fijians, Indians or Rotumans where 3 members are elected;
  and
• 25 are elected by voters from all communities registered on an open electoral roll.

Speaker And Deputy Speaker
The Office of Speaker is an essential feature of the parliamentary system, and of all the Westminister parliamentary traditions the Speakership has proved to be the most durable. Under the 1997 Constitution, the House of Representatives at its first sitting after the general election and whenever the office of Speaker is vacant, shall elect as Speaker a person who is not a member of the House but who is qualified to be a candidate for the election to the House. For the purpose of electing the Speaker of the House, the Secretary-General to Parliament presides. The Deputy Speaker is elected from members of the House of Representatives (excluding the Ministers). The chief characteristics attaching to the office of the Speaker in the House of Representatives are authority and impartiality. As the symbol of the powers and privileges of the House, the Mace is borne before him when entering and leaving the Chamber. In order of Seniority of Members, the Speaker is ranked the most senior.

The Leader Of The Opposition
The 1997 Constitution states that the Leader of the Opposition will be appointed by the President and if it is the opinion of the President that this appointment is acceptable to the majority of the members of opposition party or parties in the House. In the Order of Precedence, the Leader of the Opposition ranks after Cabinet Ministers, ahead of Ministers of State.

Leader Of The House
In broad terms, the Leader of the House is responsible for the arrangement and management of government business in the House of Representatives. In respect of the daily business of the House, it is his responsibility, in consultation, as necessary, with the Prime Minister and other Ministers, and the Opposition, to determine the order in which the items of government business will be dealt with, and to ensure that, as far as practicable, the passage of government business is not unduly delayed or disrupted. The majority of formal or general procedural motions are moved on behalf of the Government and the House by the Leader of the House. The Leader of the House works closely with the Whips and consults with them regarding the selection of speakers during debates.

Whips
Party Whips are the persons responsible for the management of the affairs of their parties during meetings and sittings of the House.

Attorney General
Under the 1997 Constitution, the Minister appointed as the Attorney General is the chief legal adviser to the Government. The Attorney General may attend and take part in the proceedings of either House but may only vote in the House of which he or she is a member and is not to be regarded as a member of the other House except for the purpose of enjoying the privileges and immunities of a member of that other House.