The Government is being urged to provide a clear commitment on when Fijis next general elections will be held and ensure the proposed constitutional changes do not delay the election or extend Parliaments term.
Content creator and influencer Eliki Dakuitoga shared this before the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at Vunimono Hall in Nausori, calling for stronger legal safeguards to protect the next elections.
Dakuitoga says the existing lawful deadline for the election must be clearly protected in legislation, even if the new Constitution comes into effect earlier than expected.
He is seeking clarification on Section 219, saying the proposed provision should not restart Parliaments four-year term, revive an expired or dissolved Parliament, or allow it to continue without a general election.
Dakuitoga also wants the committee to explain how the proposed Section 211, which allows the President to bring the new Constitution into effect earlier through a proclamation published in the Gazette, would affect the election timetable.
He says the committee must clearly identify which electoral system, nomination requirements, polling rules and deadlines will apply to the next general elections, particularly if constitutional changes take effect while election preparations are already underway.
He is also raising concerns about the proposed emergency powers under Section 201, saying these must not be used to extend Parliaments term or delay an election for political reasons.
Using a severe cyclone as an example, Dakuitoga says there must be clear legal procedures for dealing with genuine disruptions to polling, including who can authorise a delay, the reasons required, independent scrutiny and access to the courts.
He is asking the Government to confirm whether the election will be held in 2026 or January 2027, and if not, to confirm that it will take place no later than 6th February 2027, which he identifies as the last possible date published by election authorities.
Dakuitoga says the preparation of a new Constitution or electoral system should not, by itself, justify extending the current parliamentary term.
He is also calling for the final wording of the relevant constitutional provisions to be published, together with a clear explanation of how the changes would affect the election under either outcome of a possible referendum.
Dakuitoga says the public needs certainty about the election timetable, the applicable laws and the safeguards that will prevent any misuse of constitutional or emergency powers.
