Government won’t delay the 2026 election: A-G Turaga

Government will not delay the 2026 General Election, Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga has assured.

Speaking at Dialogue Fiji’s forum on Thursday, Mr Turaga responded to public calls to postpone the polls to allow more time for the planned constitutional review.

“Government is committed to election,” Mr Turaga said during the question-and-answer session at the Suva Civic Auditorium.

The Supervisor of Elections has announced that the earliest possible election date is August 8, 2026, with the latest being February 2027.

Investment consultant Sandeep Singh had asked whether Government would consider delaying elections to properly complete the review process.

“Do you think this is the time that we delay the election and process the constitutional review?” Mr Singh asked.

“I believe that if we are serious, let's go ahead, put our hands down, and let’s delay the election and come up with the appropriate constitution before going for election.”

Delaying elections equals constitutional crisis
Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal warned that postponing elections would trigger a constitutional crisis.

“We cannot delay elections. That is going to create a constitutional crisis,” Mr Lal said.

“If elections are not held by February 7, 2027, we’re going to have a constitutional crisis because the constitutional authority of the current parliament is going to lapse.”

Mr Lal said the constitutional review did not need to be tied to the government’s term.

“The process can start. It can go on for two years, and we can have elections,” he said.

Mr Turaga confirmed that a Referendum Bill will be tabled in Parliament in December, with the Prime Minister expected to announce the Constitution Review Commission members next year.

“So it’s a big bang from next year,” Mr Turaga said.

ENDS