Fiji Constitution review report tabled and now public as debate looms

Fiji’s Constitution Review Commission report is now in the hands of the public, setting the stage for parliamentary debate next week and a proposed referendum before the end of the year. .

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka tabled the report during a special sitting of Parliament on Tuesday, completing the Commission’s role and opening its recommendations to public scrutiny.

Speaker of Parliament Filimoni Jitoko said the report had been tabled for information only and would not be referred to a standing committee.“...the report must now be made available to the public.”

Cabinet has stressed that tabling the report does not mean it has accepted all of the Commission’s recommendations.

The report includes proposals for a 41-seat House of Representatives, 26 constituencies and a 19-seat Senate, along with changes to the electoral system.

Parliament is expected to begin debating the report from 28 September.

Speaker of Parliament Filimoni Jitoko says the report had been tabled for information only and would not be referred to a standing committee. Photo/Parliament of Fiji

The government proposed a referendum between November and mid-December 2026, with a new Constitution potentially coming into force by 24 December 2026 if the required parliamentary processes are completed and voters approve it.

Under Fiji’s constitutional amendment process, parliament must first pass the relevant Bill before it goes to referendum.

Jagath Karunaratne, a Fiji legal expert, told PMN News the timetable for replacing the Constitution is extremely compressed, with only six days between the Commission's report being tabled and parliamentary debate beginning on 28 September.

The Constitution Review Comission's Report and its annexes. Photo/Parliament of Fiji

“A constitution is not ordinary legislation,” the expert said, warning Parliament should allow enough time for meaningful scrutiny, public education and consultation, particularly with minority communities.

"They said the proposed 24 December commencement date was “exceptionally ambitious” and could carry significant legal and practical risks," Karunaratne said.

But six civil society organisations are warning that the timetable needs much closer scrutiny because of its proximity to Fiji’s next general election.

The groups include the Centre for Democracy and Dialogue, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Fiji Council of Social Services, Pacific Centre for Peacebuilding, Social Empowerment and Education Programme and femLINK Pacific.

They say bringing a new Constitution into force by 24 December could make it difficult to hold the next election on time, particularly if the new document changes electoral rules.

“We view this timeline as dangerous, unnecessary and constitutionally reckless,” a joint statement said.

The report will be debated in Parliament from next week. Photo/Fiji Government

The groups say that if the process delays the election, extends Parliament’s term or allows the Executive to remain in power beyond the life of an elected legislature, it “would amount in substance to an autogolpe, or self-coup”.

The civil society organisations are calling for the next general election to be held within the legal timeframe and for the constitutional review process not to extend Parliament's term or delay the election.

They also want any change to the electoral system taking effect before the election to be officially certified and for voters to have enough time and information to consider the proposed Constitution before any referendum.

The government says its Cabinet subcommittee will continue considering the recommendations including their practical, legal and policy implications, and any transitional arrangements that may be needed.

The Commission was established in March and carried out consultations across Fiji before submitting its report and a draft Constitution Bill to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on 31 August.

The report is now available through the Parliament of Fiji website, giving Fijians their first full opportunity to examine the proposed changes before the next stage of the process.

Watch the Constitution Review Commission hand over their report to Fiji's President Ratu Naiqama Labalabavu below.