The Constitution Review Commission has recommended the introduction of a caretaker government during the election period, as part of proposed changes aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and providing greater certainty around election timelines.
The Commission proposes clearer constitutional rules governing the dissolution of Parliament, the issuing of election writs and the point at which caretaker government arrangements would take effect.
It said predictability in the term of Parliament was an important part of strengthening electoral integrity.
The proposal builds on earlier electoral reform discussions. A parliamentary review of the 2022 General Election Joint Report recorded a recommendation for guidelines governing ministers, MPs and the civil service while government is in “caretaker mode”, noting that such arrangements can reinforce public confidence in a level electoral playing field.
The Constitution Review Commission has also recommended restricting major changes to electoral laws during the final nine months of a parliamentary term.
The caretaker proposal sits alongside recommendations to merge the Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office into a single structure and alter the powers of the Supervisor of Elections.
The Commission’s report was tabled in Parliament today for information. Speaker Filimone Jitoko said it would not be referred to a standing committee and would be made publicly available.
Cabinet has stressed that tabling the report does not mean all of the Commission’s recommendations have been accepted or adopted.
