ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NATIONAL REFERENDUM
Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Namaste, As-salamu Alaykum, and a very good afternoon to you all.
On Friday 2nd October, following an exhaustive consultation and parliamentary process, His Excellency the President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu Assented to the National Referendum Act 2026. Today, I am pleased to re-affirm, and announce that:
The National Referendum will be held on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
Today my announcement as your Prime Minister is to re-affirm the importance of the referendum process, and what it means to all of us.
On that day, all eligible Fijians will have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right, and make their own decision on the question (or questions), that will be placed before them.
There will, of course, be different views. That is a normal and important part of democracy. Every eligible Fijian should be free to express their views, ask questions, seek information and, ultimately, make their own decision.
Whatever our individual views may be, I ask that we conduct this national conversation peacefully, and respectfully, and allow the democratic process to take its course.
We all have responsibilities in this process.
The Government has its responsibilities.
Parliament has its responsibilities.
And our independent electoral institutions have their responsibilities.
The administration and conduct of the National Referendum will be undertaken by the Supervisor of Elections under the direction of the Electoral Commission, in accordance with the law.
The Government will respect the independence of these institutions as they carry out their respective responsibilities.
To ensure that the Referendum can be administered with the necessary focus and clarity, I have written to the Electoral Commission, to suspend all general election campaigning until after the return of the Writ for the Referendum.
On 9 November 2026, His Excellency the President is expected to issue the Writ for the Referendum.
The Referendum will then be held on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
Following the referendum polling, the votes will be counted and the results announced, with the Referendum results expected to be announced by 14 December 2026, subject to the completion of the processes required by law.
I am sure that, following today’s announcement, the Electoral Commission will make the appropriate announcement regarding the suspension of general election campaigning.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Usaia Ratuvili, and the Supervisor of Elections, Ms Ana Mataiciwa, will provide further information on the electoral arrangements for the National Referendum.
I encourage every Fijian to listen carefully to these announcements and, in the weeks ahead, to rely on official information from the Electoral Commission, and the Fijian Elections Office regarding the administration of the Referendum.
Fellow Fijians, Our Constitution belongs to all of us.
The decisions we make about our constitutional future demand our careful consideration and our full participation.
In the weeks ahead, I encourage every Fijian to stay informed, participate in the consultation process, ask questions, consider the information available, and listen respectfully to the different opinions that will be expressed.
When 9 December comes, the decision will be yours.
Exercise your democratic right.
Make your choice.
Let your voice be heard.
As a nation, we may hold different views, but we share one Fiji.
Let us therefore approach this National Referendum peacefully, respectfully, and with a shared commitment to our country and its future.
Vinaka vakalevu, and may God bless Fiji.
Dhanyebaad.