Six civil society organisations have warned that Government’s proposed timeline to bring a new Constitution into force by December 24 could jeopardise the timely conduct of Fiji’s next general election.
In a joint statement, 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 described the proposed timeline as “dangerous, unnecessary and constitutionally reckless”.
They warned that if constitutional reform were used to delay the election, extend the life of the current Parliament or allow the Executive to govern beyond the elected legislature’s mandate, it would amount, in their view, to an autogolpe or “self-coup”.
The organisations said they were not opposed to constitutional review, but argued the process should not put the next election at risk.
Their statement follows Cabinet’s endorsement of plans to table the Constitution Review Commission report in Parliament, with a special sitting proposed for September 22. The Government says the report is expected to be debated from September 28 and, subject to passage of the Bill and subsequent processes, a referendum could take place between November and mid-December. If approved, the proposed new Constitution could commence by December 24.
The December 24 date is significant because the Fijian Elections Office currently identifies it as the latest possible date for the election writ to be issued under the existing framework. The FEO lists February 6, 2027 as the latest possible election day.
The civil society organisations expressed concern that introducing a new Constitution at that point could create legal and administrative difficulties if it changed the electoral system, nomination requirements, political party rules, constituency arrangements or election machinery.
“No Government has the moral, legal or democratic authority to use constitutional reform to create uncertainty around an election that is constitutionally due,” the organisations said.
They called on Government to publicly guarantee that the general election would be held within the constitutionally required timeframe and that the constitutional review would not delay it “by even a single day”.
They also want assurances that the current Parliament’s life will not be extended and that major electoral changes will not take effect before the election unless the Electoral Commission and Supervisor of Elections certify that the poll can still be conducted lawfully, credibly and on time.
If major electoral-system changes are proposed, the groups want transitional provisions allowing the next election to proceed under the existing electoral framework.
They also called for adequate time and information to be provided to the public before any referendum.
Cabinet has stressed that its decision to table the Commission’s report does not mean it has accepted all its recommendations. A Cabinet subcommittee is continuing to consider the recommendations and any transitional arrangements that may be required.
The civil society organisations urged MPs across party lines to reject any timetable they believe could risk delaying the election.
