The Electoral Commission has extended its sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the late Agni Deo Singh.
They have acknowledged the late Singh’s contribution to Fiji through his service in Parliament and Government, as well as his longstanding advocacy for workers.
They wish to clarify the constitutional position regarding the resulting vacancy in the membership of Parliament.
The Commission says under section 64(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Electoral Commission is ordinarily responsible for awarding a vacant parliamentary seat held by a member of a political party to the highest-ranked available candidate of the same political party from the most recent General Election.
They say section 64(3) of the Constitution expressly provides that where a seat becomes vacant more than three years and six months after the first meeting of Parliament following the most recent General Election, the seat shall remain vacant until the next General Election.
The Commision says the constitutional period specified under section 64(3) elapsed on 24 June 2026.
The Electoral Commission will therefore not undertake any process to award the vacant seat to another candidate.
The Electoral Commission issues this clarification in the interest of ensuring that the constitutional process relating to vacancies in the membership of Parliament is clearly understood.
