FORMER Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of overstepping his authority by announcing December 9 as the date for Fiji’s national referendum before the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 completes the parliamentary process.
In a social media statement, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum claimed the announcement had effectively “usurped” the powers of Speaker Filimone Jitoko and President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
He also criticised the Prime Minister’s request for General Election campaigning to be suspended during the referendum process.
“In conveying to the Electoral Commission… that it should currently focus only on the preparation for the referendum, as opposed to the national elections, the Prime Minister is seeking to effectively interfere with the decisions, work plan and powers of the independent Electoral Commission,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum claimed.
However, the Electoral Commission has since stated that preparations for the General Election will continue alongside referendum preparations and that it will independently consider the Prime Minister’s request concerning campaign suspension.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the Constitution Amendment Bill must complete the required parliamentary stages before being referred for a referendum.
He said following the second reading, there must be a 30-day period before the third reading, during which the parliamentary committee conducts its assessment and public consultations.
The Bill passed its second reading last week and was referred to a Special Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny and public consultation.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said that if the required parliamentary majority supports the Bill at the third reading, the Speaker would then notify the President, who would refer the Bill to the Electoral Commission for a referendum.
The Government, meanwhile, has announced December 9 as referendum day and said the President is expected to issue the referendum writ on November 9. It has also stated that the referendum will be administered under the direction of the Electoral Commission and that Government will respect the independence of the electoral institutions.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said voters must be assured that constitutional processes are followed and that they have access to adequate voter education before casting their ballots.
