Dialogue Fiji has strongly criticised the proposed Referendum Bill 2025, describing it as one of the most restrictive and undemocratic pieces of legislation ever proposed in the country.
In a statement, Executive Director Nilesh Lal said the Bill “effectively criminalises all forms of speech or expression on a referendum issue.”
He said the proposed law would make it an offence for anyone to engage in civic education, conduct public awareness campaigns, offer academic analysis, undertake CSO advocacy, or even for one citizen to attempt to persuade another on how to vote.
Under the Bill, all referendum-related badges, symbols, posters, advertisements or materials would be banned “at any time either before, during or after” a referendum.
It also prohibits attempts “by word, message, writing or in any other manner” to influence how any person votes.
Mr Lal said these provisions amount to a complete shutdown of public debate on matters of national importance, especially issues touching the country’s supreme law.
“This is about as undemocratic as it gets. It is far worse than anything imposed by FijiFirst,” he said.
“It shuts down public participation entirely at the very moment open debate is most essential.”
He added that the restrictions contradict the government’s previous criticism of draconian laws and its commitment to democratic principles.
Dialogue Fiji noted that no liberal democracy has comparable restrictions.
The organisation cited Australia, where referendum campaigns are open and citizen-led, and Vanuatu, which encouraged public debate during its 2024 referendum.
“Our neighbours show that peaceful, orderly referendums can be conducted without gagging the public,” Mr Lal said.
“Fiji is choosing a model closer to authoritarian information control than democratic practice.”
The group also expressed concern that the Bill centralises control over referendum communications, making the Supervisor of Elections the only lawful source of information.
“A referendum can only be legitimate if citizens are free to hear arguments and discuss issues,” Mr Lal said.
“This Bill criminalises the very dialogue that gives a referendum meaning.”
Dialogue Fiji is urging the Government and Parliament to rethink the legislation, calling for it to be fundamentally redrafted and opened to genuine public consultation.
