A DEMOCRATIC DISASTER IN THE MAKING

Statement by Savenaca Narube, leader of Unity Fiji

“The country is headed for a serious democratic disaster simply because the Government of the day was sleeping on the job for over three years,” says Savenaca Narube leader of Unity Fiji and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

“The Electoral Commission has announced that a national referendum on the amendments to the 2013 Constitution will be held on 9^th December 2026.”

“What the Electoral Commission deliberately withheld from the public is the date of the general elections.”

“The Fiji Elections Office (FEO) will conduct the referendum. The processes of the referendum are exactly the same as a general election. The postal ballot and pre-polling will have to be conducted. Eligible participants will have to be registered.  The time given is less than two months. This is a huge undertaking.”

“Furthermore, the FEO has to do it all over again for the general elections by the first week of February 2027.”

“The issues in the referendum are complex. The amendments to the 2013 Constitution are many. How will the people be asked to vote in the referendum on multiple issues? The questions must be framed carefully.  This is the first of its kind in Fiji. The time allocated should be at least 6 months. The people are already confused. Many may simply not vote in both the referendum and the elections.” 

“The likelihood of a democratic disaster is extremely high. We may end up with a failed referendum that does not reflect the will of the people, and a general election which may not be adequately prepared.” 

“The price is too high just to satisfy a desperate Government that has been sleeping on the job since it got elected nearly four years ago and desperate to stay in power.”

“The people must show their disagreement with a government that is willing to sacrifice democracy and rule of law for its own survival. Enough is enough!”