The Electoral Commission (EC) and the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) confirm that Postal Voting applications for the announced National Referendum 2026 are now open.
The EC and FEO are working together, within their respective statutory responsibilities, to ensure that all preparations for the announced National Referendum are conducted strictly in accordance with the law.
The opening of Postal Voting applications is being undertaken in accordance with the Electoral Act 2014 and the National Referendum Act 2026. Section 6(1) of the National Referendum Act 2026 provides for the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2014 relating to Postal Voting to apply to a referendum.
In accordance with section 68(1) of the Electoral Act, applications for Postal Voting may be received following the announcement of the date of an election. The same provisions apply to the announced National Referendum 2026 through the National Referendum Act 2026. The opening of Postal Voting applications is provided for under the law.
The period for receiving Postal Voting applications is not prescribed in the Writ. The requirements governing Postal Voting, including the eligibility of applicants, are provided for under the applicable legislation.
The application process is now open to allow eligible voters who may require Postal Voting for the announced National Referendum to submit their applications. This enables the FEO to identify and process eligible applicants in advance and determine the appropriate voting arrangements should the Writ for the National Referendum 2026 be issued.
Eligible voters may apply for Postal Voting if, on the announced referendum date, 09 December 2026, they will be outside of Fiji, will be far away from their assigned polling station, will not be available due to work, family, or other significant commitments, or for other lawful reasons.
The EC and FEO further emphasise that the opening of Postal Voting applications does not amount to the issuance of the Writ for the National Referendum 2026.
If the Constitution Amendment Bill is defeated at the third reading in Parliament and the Writ is not issued, the Electoral Commission will announce the closure of the Postal Voting application process and will cease all preparations and processes for the announced National Referendum 2026. Registered voters who had applied for Postal Voting for the National Referendum 2026 will not receive ballot papers.
The Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office are committed to acting strictly within the law and within our respective constitutional and statutory mandates.
We encourage all Fijians to familiarise themselves with the National Referendum Act 2026 and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2014, and to obtain information from the official platforms of the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office.
