The NGO Coalition on Human Rights is questioning the constitutional authority behind Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s announcement that Fiji’s national referendum will be held on December 9, 2026.

The Coalition says announcing a referendum date before the Constitution Amendment Bill has completed the parliamentary process raises serious concerns about whether the proper legal procedures are being followed.

It says Section 160 of the 2013 Constitution outlines the process for constitutional amendments, including the responsibilities of Parliament, the Speaker, the President and the Electoral Commission.

The Coalition is now seeking clarification on who has the constitutional authority to announce and formally initiate a referendum.

It also raised concerns about the reported request to suspend general election campaigning while preparations for the referendum are underway.

According to the Coalition, Section 15(2) of the National Referendum Act 2026 places responsibility on the Electoral Commission to consider whether election campaigning should be suspended.

It stresses that any such decision must be made independently by the Commission and in accordance with the law.

The Coalition is also questioning the expedited referendum timeline, warning that complex constitutional changes require sufficient time for public consultation, civic education and informed debate.

It says reducing complicated constitutional issues to a simple yes-or-no vote without adequate preparation could leave the process vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation.

The Coalition is calling for immediate clarification on the legal authority behind the referendum announcement, respect for constitutional procedures and protection of the Electoral Commission’s independence.

It also wants the final constitutional proposals and referendum question published well ahead of the vote, with information made available in iTaukei, Fiji Hindi and English, including accessible formats.

The Coalition maintains that while public participation is essential, the referendum must be conducted through a lawful, transparent and constitutionally sound process to maintain public confidence.