Fiji - September 2026

On 30 September, the government tabled the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 bill to replace 11 of the 12 chapters of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution. The proposal would replace the unicameral 55-seat parliament with a 41-seat lower house, elected via a mixed member proportional (MMP) electoral system combining first-past-the-post constituencies and national proportional party-list seats, and a 19-seat upper house appointed by the President. The only chapter set to remain concerns immunity for involvement in past coups; however, military officials have said they neither requested nor wish for continued immunity protection.  Should the Bill pass through three readings in parliament it would be put to a national referendum. Despite the sweeping changes proposed, the public consultation period will be limited to the 30 days between the second and third readings in parliament and the government has said it plans to hold a referendum by December. If enacted, the proposed constitutional provisions would enter into force in March 2028.

Sources: Fiji Times (1), Fiji Times (2), Parliament of Fiji, Radio New Zealand

On 24 September, Fiji’s Electoral Commission adopted binding campaign rules prohibiting ministers, MPs, political parties and candidates from using state resources and drawing clear lines between carrying out official duties and campaigning. The rules, which enter into force on 20 October, cover state-funded equipment, communications, transport and government premises and restrict campaigning in public offices and specified public facilities. Where state services are commercially available, parties and candidates must use them on the same terms as the public. By establishing clearer boundaries between government communications and partisan campaigning, the rules introduce a significant safeguard against incumbency advantages ahead of the general election. Violating campaign rules can result in a fine up to FJD 10,000 (USD 4,440), up to five years imprisonment, or both.

Sources: Electoral Commission of the Republic of Fiji , Radio New Zealand