Electoral Reform Commissioner, Professor Wadan Narsey, who had earlier revealed the details of their recommendation in the Electoral Reform Commission Report, says he has been instructed by the Director of the Fiji Law Reform Commission to not give any more interviews.
Professor Narsey had earlier given an interview, saying that he wanted the public to know what they, as a publicly funded commission, recommended to the government in the report as the document has not been made public since July this year.
He had said that they owe it to the people of the country who are the taxpayers, to ensure their views are reported back to the people, as they had called on people to attend the public consultations.
Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga confirmed a strong warning letter has been written to Professor Wadan Narsey after he came out publicly with the Electoral Reform Commission report recommendations.
Investment Consultant Sandeep Singh raised the question during Dialogue Fiji’s Constitution review discussion at the Suva Civic Centre on who gave the authority to Professor Narsey to speak about the Commission’s report, as this authority only comes from the government.
Singh says that one commission has made a blunder with the Commission of Inquiry report and now they are talking about forming another commission.
He says this commission is coming up with speculations and prematurely talking about what has been done in the electoral reform.
He also called on the government of the day to take action.
Responding to Singh’s question, the Acting Attorney General says the warning letter is within the terms of the contract regarding confidentiality.
He says Professor Narsey was totally out of order and the government has not made a decision.
Turaga stressed that the members of the Commission were paid to deliver a Bill, but reporting on the Bill is where the government comes in.
He made it clear that the government is yet to make a decision on the report of the Electoral Reform Commission.
He had earlier confirmed to fijivillage News that cabinet will discuss the matter and decide when the report is made public.
Turaga stresses that the government is committed to the processes of legislative reform and consultations, and we must allow the process to be completed.
The Coalition Government stressed earlier this week that the constitutional review is scheduled to begin early next year and the current planning aims to ensure readiness for the earliest election date permitted by the Constitution.
When asked by fijivillage News on the timing for the constitutional review, electoral reform and elections preparations, the government confirms a final date for the elections will only be confirmed once the necessary legal advice and procedural steps are complete.
On constitutional review, the government says public consultations will be a key component of this process, and the full consultation timetable will be released once Cabinet has considered and approved the review framework.
The government adds it would be premature to provide specific dates before Cabinet completes that step.
The government stresses that any decisions on the electoral system, draft electoral laws, or the release of committee recommendations will only be made after Cabinet has reviewed the relevant materials.
Election timing will also continue to follow constitutional requirements.
The government says it remains committed to transparency and will update the public as cabinet considers the reports and finalizes the next stages of the process.
Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa had earlier said that the earliest possible Writ date for the next general election is legally set for the 24th of June, 2026 and if it is issued on this date, the first election day would be the 7th of August, 2026.
The last possible date for the Writ to be issued is the 24th of December, 2026 - meaning the last possible election day would be the 6th of February, 2027.
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