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.

The Senate complements the work of the House of Representatives as a House of Review through its scrutiny and revision of Bills passed by the House of Representatives. Whilst the Senate has limited powers in respect of Money Bills it can guide opinion in general debate and by way of motions, petitions and adjournment speeches review and conduct enquiries on issues of national importance.

Under the 1997 Constitution, the Senate now comprises of 32 members of whom;

• fourteen (14) are appointed by the President of Fiji on the advice of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs (GCC));
• Nine (9) are appointed by the President of Fiji on the advice of the Prime Minister; and
• Eight (8) are appointed by the President of Fiji on the advice of the Leader of Opposition; and
• One (1) is appointed by the President of Fiji on the advice of the Council of Rotuma.

The President And Vice President
The President or in his absence the Vice-President presides over each sitting of the Senate. Both the President and Vice-President are elected by majority vote of the Members of the Senate. For the purpose of electing the President of the Senate, the Secretary-General to Parliament presides and for that purpose has all the President's powers.

Nominees of the GCC
The 14 Senators appointed by the President of Fiji on the advise of the Great Council of Chiefs as highlighted above is one of the unique features of the Parliament of Fiji. These Senators represent the fourteen provinces that make up the Republic of the Fiji Islands. While it is not a requirement these 14 Senators usually consist of high chiefs from these respective provinces. These Senators are appointed to protect and safeguard the rights and interests of indigenous Fijians and the Constitution provides that 9 of these 14 Senators must support a Bill that alters or amends specific laws dealing with the administration of indigenous Fijian affairs before it can be enacted by Parliament.

Leader of the House
Similar to the House of Representatives, the Senate also has a Leader of the House who is responsible for moving the formal or general procedural motions of the Senate. The House Leader of the Senate is usually a nominee of the Prime Minister and in the absence of the Attorney General is responsible for the Government's legislative agenda.

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. As the Cabinet Minister who may attend meetings of both Houses the Attorney General is usually responsible for moving the Government's legislative agenda, particularly in instances where the Attorney General is a member of the Senate.

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