Following the announcements by the Government on the date of the National Referendum, 09 December, 2026, the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) will now proceed with the preparations required for the National Referendum.
At the same time, preparations for the upcoming General Election will continue.
Referendum campaign period and General Election campaigning
One of the Electoral Commission’s immediate responsibilities will be to determine and announce the campaign period for the National Referendum.
In accordance with section 15(2) of the National Referendum Act, the Electoral Commission will consider and determine whether General Election campaigning and related activities governed by Part 4 of the Electoral Act 2014 are to be suspended for all or part of the referendum campaign period. The Electoral Commission will provide its decision on this request from the Hon. Prime Minister at a later date.
Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Usaia Ratuvili, reiterates that the coming period will require the Electoral Commission and the FEO to manage preparations for two (2) important electoral processes.
The Electoral Commission understands that announcements from Government will naturally lead to questions from voters, particularly about what happens next. The Electoral Commission and the FEO will therefore continue to provide information as arrangements are confirmed.
The Supervisor of Elections, Ms Ana Mataiciwa, reiterated that the FEO’s focus will now turn to the practical work needed to prepare for the National Referendum and make sure voters can access the information and services they need.
“For the FEO, there is a lot of work ahead of us, but that work has already started. Our teams are ready, and our preparations are moving forward. Our priority is to make sure Fijians know what they need to do, where they can get assistance and where they can get information they can trust.”
The FEO will continue preparing for the General Election while putting in place the necessary arrangements for the National Referendum.
National Referendum Postal voting applications
Postal voting applications for the National Referendum are now open.
Eligible voters who qualify for postal voting are encouraged to apply early via this link https://services.feo.org.fj/Postal. Immediately following this statement, the FEO will be releasing information on eligibility, the application process, applicable deadlines, and the requirements voters will need to meet.
The FEO is encouraging voters who intend to apply for postal voting not to wait until the last minute and apply now, they are also encouraged to understand the requirements before submitting their application.
Your Election, Your Say Outreach
The FEO’s Your Election, your Say Outreach, Phase 2 will continue across Fiji and overseas, bringing voter services and electoral information directly to communities. FEO teams will assist with voter registration matters, provide voter services and answer questions from voters as information on the National Referendum becomes available.
“We expect people to have questions, and we want them to ask us, speak to our teams when they come to your community, visit your nearest Voter Services Centre or follow our official platforms. We want Fijians to receive the correct information directly from the FEO rather than rely on information that may not be accurate,” said Ms Mataiciwa.
Registered voters do not need to register again
The FEO is also reminding registered voters that they do not need to register again to vote in the National Referendum. Existing voter registration will cover both the General Election and the National Referendum.
Voters are, however, encouraged to check that their registration details are correct. Anyone who is not registered, needs to update their details, or requires another voter service can seek assistance from the FEO.
“If you are already registered, you do not need to register again for the National Referendum. What we do ask is that you check your voter registration details and make sure they are correct,” said Ms Mataiciwa.
General Election preparations continue
The FEO will continue its work towards the upcoming General Election while preparations for the National Referendum are carried out.
“Our work has already begun, and it will intensify from here. We will continue preparing for the General Election while carrying out the work required for the National Referendum,” said Ms Mataiciwa.
Fijians living overseas also remain part of the FEO’s preparations. Information on voter registration and National Referendum voting arrangements available to overseas voters will be communicated as those arrangements are confirmed.
The Electoral Commission and the FEO will continue to keep Fijians informed as the process moves forward. There will be a lot of discussion in the coming weeks. Our message to voters is simple:
- stay informed;
- ask questions; and
- get your electoral information from the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office.
Further information on the National Referendum, including key dates, voter services and voting arrangements, will be communicated through the official platforms of the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office.
