Rabuka: Fiji’s election timeline intact as Constitution Bill consultation extended

Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the country remains on legal footing for the next general election and a constitutional referendum, despite the extension of public consultation on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, known as Bill 32.

“That will still give us time for writs for the [general] election and the referendum to be issued and for all the preparatory work to be done.

Rabuka told Parliament the extension is vital to give the public more time to submit their views and allow parliamentary staff space to compile a comprehensive report.

“At the end of next week, we will compile the written part of the report, and the latter part of the following week, we’ll start writing so that we are able to present on the 30th, the last day of this month.”

The report will go to Parliament for debate in the sitting from 30 November to 4 December,,when the decisive third reading vote is expected. The bill needs a 66 percent majority to pass. If it does, the proposed constitution goes to a national referendum on 9 December.

In Parliament yesterday, Rabuka moved an urgent extension after public and civic leaders criticised the short time frame for consultation.

L-R National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitivei Rabuka and SODELPA Leader Aseri Radrodro. Photo/Fiji Parliament

There has been a strong public pushback and open fallout with his coalition partners, National Federation Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party.

Deputy Prime Minister and NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad has withdrawn the Party from the Special Committee deliberations.

He has told Parliament the NFP will not endorse the bill, warning that pushing it through could undermine the new constitution’s mana and legitimacy.

“If the perception out there amongst the people is that this process is being rushed, then despite all the good things in the draft Constitution, the legitimacy of the new Constitution could become a serious issue.”

Prasad has revealed the committee had originally been expected to draft its final report over a single weekend.

He is calling for the entire reform to be deferred until after the next general election.

Both the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) have strongly condemned the government's rushed public consultation timeline for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026. Photo/Fiji Government

“We believe that these three additional weeks are not going to allay the fears, the suspicions, the perception of the people that has been created.”

SODELPA has also withheld support. Party leader and Education Minister Aseri Radrodro says the party has written to the Prime Minister with its concerns, adding that grassroots areas have largely been bypassed, with some places receiving minimal or no consultation.

In a statement, SODELPA says it is totally against the 2013 Constitution and that Bill 32 amends it rather than replacing it.

“SODELPA promised voters that it will remove the 2013 constitution shoved down our throats.”

The FijiFirst-aligned opposition says they will remain on the committee with Leader Inia Seruiratu saying it is not an endorsement of the government’s proposals or its handling of the process.

“Our continued participation in the Special Select Committee... should never be mistaken for an endorsement of the government proposals or the manner in which this process has been conducted.”

Watch Fiji's Prime Minister Sitivenu Rabuka speak on the extension of consultations below.

Dismissing social media rumours of political deals, Seruiratu says the opposition is staying to stand up for ordinary families, villagers and maritime communities.

“Governments come and governments go, however, the Constitution will continue to shape the lives of our children and the generations that follow.”

Rabuka’s coalition government came into power in December 2022 and its term ends next month, on 24 December..

The general election is to be held no later than 7 February, 2027.