Dialogue Fiji has written to the Electoral Commission expressing what it describes as “grave concern” over the possibility of changes to Fiji’s electoral system being introduced within a year of the next general election.
In a letter dated June 4 to Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili, Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal urged the Commission to publicly affirm the importance of electoral stability and legal certainty as the country moves closer to the constitutional deadline for the next general election on February 6, 2027.
The organisation’s concerns follow recent public statements by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka indicating that the ongoing constitutional review process may include consideration of changes to Fiji’s electoral system.
Dialogue Fiji argued that internationally accepted democratic standards caution against altering fundamental elements of electoral law, particularly the electoral system itself, less than one year before an election.
“The constitutional deadline for Fiji’s next general election is 6 February 2027. Fiji is therefore already within the period during which internationally accepted democratic standards caution strongly against changes to the electoral system,” Lal wrote.
The letter notes that political parties, candidates, campaign managers, donors, volunteers and voters organise their activities based on a known and stable set of electoral rules.
“Changing the electoral system only months before an election, and during the campaign period, would be akin to changing the rules of a game after the match has already begun,” Lal said.
Dialogue Fiji warned that such changes could disproportionately affect smaller and challenger parties that may have fewer resources to rapidly adapt to a new electoral framework.
The organisation also raised concerns about the practical challenges for election administration, including voter education programmes, candidate training, election materials, public awareness campaigns and operational planning. It argued that, under the current constitutional review timeline, a referendum on electoral changes may not be completed until November, potentially leaving election authorities only a short period to prepare for elections under a new system.
Dialogue Fiji said uncertainty over the electoral system could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and the legitimacy of the next election.
“This matter is of the utmost importance. The consequences of late electoral system changes could be catastrophic for public trust in the electoral process and could place the legitimacy of the next election unnecessarily into question,” Lal said.
The organisation has called on the Electoral Commission to provide leadership on the issue and safeguard the certainty, stability and integrity of Fiji’s electoral system.
