Fiji to hold constitutional referendum on 9 December, Rabuka announces

Fiji will hold a national referendum on Wednesday, 9 December 2026, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced, giving eligible Fijians a direct say on the country’s constitutional future (https://pina.com.fj/2026/10/06/fiji-to-hold-constitutional-referendum-on-09-december-pm-rabuka/).

Rabuka made the announcement in a national address on Monday, days after President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu assented to the National Referendum Act 2026 on Friday, October 2 (https://onadiko.com.fj/fiji-to-hold-national-referendum-on-december-9/).

Fijians will be asked whether to adopt the proposed new Constitution or retain the 2013 Constitution, according to MaiTV; the exact question follows the third reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 (https://maitvfiji.com/fiji-to-hold-constitutional-referendum-on-december-9/).

Rabuka said the President is expected to issue the referendum writ on November 9, with results announced by December 14. He also asked the Electoral Commission to suspend all general election campaigning until the referendum writ is returned, to let the vote proceed “with the necessary focus and clarity” (https://pina.com.fj/2026/10/06/fiji-to-hold-constitutional-referendum-on-09-december-pm-rabuka/). The country must also hold a general election before February 5, 2027, setting up two national polls within about two months (https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/fiji-referendum-vote-set-for-december-9).

The date was immediately disputed. National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad — a coalition partner — said announcing the date was “not his decision”: under the Constitution only the President can set it, and only after Parliament passes the Bill, which a bipartisan committee is still scrutinising (https://maitvfiji.com/not-his-decision-nfp-rejects-rabukas-december-9-referendum-date/).