| | Freedom in the World 1999 - 2000 |
 | | The 1990 constitution created separate indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian electoral constituencies, required the prime minister to be an indigenous Fijian, and guaranteed indigenous Fijians a perpetual parliamentary majority by reserving for them 37 of the 70 seats in the house of representatives. |
 | | Backed by hard-line indigenous Fijians alarmed at the emerging political influence of the economically successful Indo-Fijian community, Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka took power in the Pacific’s first coups in May and September 1987. |
 | | The amendments created a 71-seat house with 25 seats open to all races, 23 for indigenous Fijians, 19 for Indo-Fijians, 3 for “general electors” (mainly whites and ethnic Chinese), and 1 for Rotuma Island. |
| www.freedomhouse.org /research/freeworld/2000/countryratings/fiji.htm |