PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says there is no contingency plan if the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 fails to secure the required two-thirds majority in Parliament, despite the Government’s preparations for a national referendum on December 9.
Mr Rabuka has clarified that December 9 is only the Government’s “intended date” for the referendum, with its confirmation dependent on the Bill completing the required parliamentary process.
“(The referendum would proceed) only if the Bill successfully passed its third reading,” he said.
When asked what would happen if the Bill failed to secure sufficient parliamentary support, or if the Special Parliamentary Committee’s work and public consultations affected the proposed timetable, Mr Rabuka said the Government had no alternative plan.
“There is no contingency plan. Fiji goes to elections under the 2013 Constitution (if unsuccessful).”
His comments came as the Special Parliamentary Committee continues its work before the Bill’s third reading, leaving the proposed referendum date dependent on the outcome of the parliamentary process.
Mr Rabuka’s clarification followed comments by former Supervisor of Elections and Co-Legal Counsel to the Reeves Constitution Review Commission, Jon Apted, who said the Prime Minister was within his legal rights to announce the proposed date because he would advise the President on the referendum.
Mr Apted said the announcement could be understood as an indication of the Government’s intended date, but it would become legally binding only after the legislative requirements were met and the President issued the writ for the referendum.
Asked how the Government would account for public expenditure and administrative preparations if the referendum did not proceed, Mr Rabuka said the costs had been considered as part of an “election year.”
