Fiji Prime Minister postpones local govt elections, cites global economic pressures

Fiji will postpone its local government elections until after the next general election, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced, citing economic pressure and the need for fiscal responsibility.

In a national address, Rabuka said Cabinet decided what he described as “careful consideration”.

“Today, I address you as your Prime Minister with a heavy but clear sense of responsibility,” he said.

“After careful consideration by Cabinet, I have decided to defer the local government elections to a date to be determined after the coming General Elections. This was not an easy decision.”

The 2026 general election is expected to be held in August. Questions have previously been raised about the long delay in restoring elected municipal councils, with some former local government officials and commentators pointing to the lack of progress since councils were dismissed after the 2006 coup by former prime minister Frank Bainimarama.

Concerns have also been raised about how long communities have gone without elected representation at the local level.

Fiji’s municipal polls will now be held after the next general election, with no new date confirmed. Photo/Wikimedia/Maksym Kozlenko

During last year's National Budget Forum, which was attended by then Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad, a former municipal executive questioned delays in restoring democratic local councils and raised concerns about the pace of reform, pointing to long-standing gaps in delivering municipal elections since 2005.

The decision has also drawn criticism from local ratepayers’ groups. The Lautoka Residents and Ratepayers Association has raised concerns over the delay, saying preparations for municipal elections had already used public money and resources.

The association says the shifting timeline creates confusion for voters and aspiring candidates, and reflects wider concerns about the long gap in elected local government.

The announcement comes as the government points to rising global economic challenges, including oil supply disruptions and price shocks. Photo/The Fiji Times

Rabuka said restoring elected local councils remained a key commitment of the Coalition Government, which had pledged to return democratic municipal governance.

He said earlier governments had promised local elections but had not put in place the legal or administrative groundwork needed to deliver them.

“The previous administration had repeatedly promised municipal elections, but had failed to amend a single law or prepare the ground,” he said. “But this government has taken concrete, serious steps forward.”

Rabuka said the government had already moved to amend relevant laws, developed new regulations, begun voter registration work, and started budget planning for the elections.

“Real progress has been made," he said. "We are committed to delivering democratic local councils this year.”

But the prime minister said worsening global conditions had made it difficult to proceed with the original timeline.

Watch Sitiveni Rabuka's national address below.

“Events beyond our control now compel us to act with prudence and fiscal responsibility,” Rabuka said.

“Global headwinds have intensified. Oil supply disruptions and sharp price shocks are placing significant pressure on our economy.”

The delay means Fiji’s return to elected municipal councils will now take place only after the next national election, pushing back earlier plans to restore local democratic structures within the current term.

Fiji's government has not yet confirmed a revised timetable for the local government polls.