Fiji Sets Dec. 9 as Possible Date for First Constitutional Referendum

Fiji’s prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, told reporters in Suva that his government intends to hold the country’s first constitutional referendum on Wednesday, 9 December, and has requested the Electoral Commission to pause all campaigning for the upcoming general election. The announcement comes after parliament approved the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which now moves into a 30-day public consultation before a final third reading scheduled for 2 November.

The bill incorporates many recommendations from an independent commission, such as establishing a Senate, stripping immunity from those involved in the 2006 coup, and reinstating references to God and Christianity in the constitution’s preamble. Rabuka said the referendum question is not yet final but will be a simple yes/no vote. While the election date remains unset, he expects it to occur by 6 February next year, the latest allowed under one outlet charter. The Centre for Democracy and Dialogue has challenged the legality of halting campaign activities, noting that the necessary referendum writ has not been issued.