PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka defended his government’s decision to delay local government elections, saying the move was driven by financial strain and the need to protect the integrity of Fiji’s electoral process.
In a speech to the nation, Rabuka said the Cabinet had weighed the cost of staging multiple national votes in quick succession and concluded that the country could not afford the strain.
“In this uncertain global environment, we must prioritise,’’ Rabuka said.
“We must protect essential services, support our people through these pressures, and maintain stability.”
He said the timing of local elections, a constitutional referendum and general elections within six months would be too much for the country’s finances and for voters.
“When citizens are asked to the polls too frequently in a short space of time, fatigue sets in, participation drops, and the quality of our democracy suffers,” he said.
The prime minister said the government had already made progress on local government reform, including legal amendments, new regulations, voter registration and budget preparations.
But he said the worsening economic outlook forced a change in plan.
“This government has delivered more progress on local government reform in these few years than the previous administration did in eight.”
Rabuka cast the delay as temporary and responsible, not a political retreat. “We do not walk away from our promises.
“We adjust responsibly when the world changes around us.”
The government has not yet announced a new date for the elections, saying “they will be held after the general election when the process can receive the full attention, resources, and public engagement they deserve.”
