Fiji Parliament Defers Constitution Bill Report as Referendum Timetable Tightens

Fiji's Parliament agreed on 2 November 2026 to postpone the presentation of a special committee report on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, extending scrutiny of proposed constitutional changes as the country approaches its next general election.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka moved the motion to allow the Special Parliamentary Committee to report at a later sitting. The Pacific Islands News Association reported that Parliament passed the extension unanimously and that it would allow more time for consultations and compilation of public submissions. The delay concerns the committee's reporting timetable and the bill's remaining legislative stages; it is not a parliamentary rejection of the constitutional proposal.

Rabuka said additional time was needed for public consultations, preparation of a written report and consideration of amendments. FBC News separately reported that he cited lower-than-expected consultation turnout in some urban centres and the heavy workload of parliamentary staff compiling submissions. Those explanations set out the government's position on the postponement, not a finding that the earlier consultation process was unlawful.

The committee's membership also changed. The Pacific Islands News Association reported that Sachida Nand replaced Biman Prasad. Public debate has included concerns that the process was too compressed, alongside the prime minister's stated intention to hear more submissions.

The change matters for election administration because a constitutional referendum would require completion of the parliamentary process and separate electoral arrangements. A previously discussed December referendum timetable is now uncertain. Rabuka told FBC News that he believed sufficient time remained to conduct both the general election and a referendum, but no completed referendum or new binding polling date is established by the 2 November parliamentary decision.

The next verifiable steps are publication of the committee's revised timetable and report, the third-reading proceedings, and any formal electoral notice. TFNOS will distinguish those official actions from proposed dates and political forecasts. This report concerns legislative procedure, public participation and election readiness; it makes no allegation of criminal misconduct.