The coalition government is proposing to have a referendum between November and mid-December this year, after the processes on changes to the 2013 Constitution are completed based on the requirements.
Cabinet says if approved through the required processes, the new Constitution is proposed to come into effect by 24th December 2026.
Based on the legal timetable, the last date for the Writ of Elections to be issued is December 24th 2026 and the last date to have the next general elections is February 6th 2027.
Cabinet has endorsed the tabling of the Constitution Review Commission’s Report in Parliament and supported a request for a special sitting of Parliament next Tuesday.
Cabinet says it's decision to table the report does not constitute acceptance or adoption of all the Commission’s recommendations.
The Cabinet Subcommittee on the Review of the Constitution will continue its detailed consideration of the recommendations, including their practical, legal and policy implications, and will report back to Cabinet on the way forward.
This will include consideration of any transitional arrangements that may be required.
The proposed process provides for the Commission’s Report to be debated in Parliament during its sitting from 28th September 2026.
The Supreme Court has already advised that the 2013 Fijian Constitution can be amended by the support of two thirds of Members of Parliament and a majority of those registered voters who vote for the change in a referendum after the parliamentary vote.
The National Referendum Bill is yet to be passed by Parliament.
Fiji has never had a referendum, and the Fijian Elections Office will need the Referendum Bill passed to move towards holding a referendum with the relevant questions to the voters if two thirds of MPs vote for the Constitution Amendment Bill.
Stay with us for developments.
