FIJI’S Electoral Commission and Elections Office have started preparations for a National Referendum on the country’s Constitution on December 9.
At the same time it is progressing preparations for an election in February 2027. upcoming General Election.
The Commission said one of the immediate priorities was to determine and announce the campaign period for the referendum. Under section 15(2) of the National Referendum Act, it will also consider whether General Election campaigning and related activities governed by Part 4 of the Electoral Act 2014 should be suspended for all or part of the referendum campaign period. A decision on the request for a suspension from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will be provided later.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the coming period will require both bodies to manage preparations for two important electoral processes. He acknowledged that government announcements will prompt questions from voters about next steps and said the Commission and FEO will continue providing information as arrangements are confirmed.
Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said the FEO’s focus is turning to practical preparations for the referendum.
“For the FEO, there is a lot of work ahead of us, but that work has already started. Our teams are ready, and our preparations are moving forward,” she said.
Postal voting applications for the referendum are now open, with eligible voters encouraged to apply early via the FEO’s online portal. The FEO said it will release information on eligibility, the application process, deadlines and requirements immediately following the statement. Mataiciwa urged applicants not to wait until the last minute and to understand the requirements before submitting.
The FEO’s “Your Election, Your Say” outreach Phase 2 will continue across Fiji and overseas, offering voter registration services and electoral information. Mataiciwa encouraged Fijians to direct questions to FEO teams, Voter Services Centres or official platforms rather than rely on potentially inaccurate information.
Voters who have already registered do not need to register again for the referendum, as existing registration covers both the General Election and the National Referendum.
