Public consultations on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 will begin tomorrow.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka saying a proposed extension of the consultation period will not necessarily affect the planned December 9 referendum.

Rabuka clarified that the extension would primarily allow for more time for the parliamentary process and would not necessarily mean changes to other timelines.

The Special Parliamentary Committee, headed by the Prime Minister, will lead the consultations, gathering public views on the Bill currently before Parliament.

Rabuka said the Constitution Review Commission had already conducted consultations and submitted its recommendations before the government considered the proposed amendments and presented the Bill to Parliament.

The committee will now consult the public on the proposed legislation before returning to Parliament for the next stage of the process.

Asked about concerns that the consultation period was too short, Rabuka said the process would proceed through the parliamentary committee.

The Bill must still complete the parliamentary process, including the third reading and the required vote, before proceeding to a referendum.