SUVA, July 25: The President signed Fiji's amended Constitution into law today, restoring the political rights of the huge Indian community and paving the way for Fiji's acceptance back into the Commonwealth.

The new Constitution is amended, so that indigenous Fijians are no longer guaranteed the majority of seats in Parliament and the Prime Ministership, relegating the Indians to a permanent Opposition status.

President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara signed the document, witnessed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Opposition leader Jai Ram Reddy, a key Indian political leader. However, it will not be effective until July 25, 1998, allowing time for Fiji to reform other laws to conform to the new amendments.

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