Election delay would need parliamentary approval: PM

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says any decision to delay the next general election beyond the constitutional deadline would require parliamentary approval.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Rabuka confirmed that Government was still weighing whether to hold elections as scheduled under the 2013 Constitution, which sets the deadline at February 6, 2027.

“If we’re going to change that, we will need parliamentary approval,” Mr Rabuka said.

He said the Constitutional Review Commission’s work and the electoral reform process were all part of the Government’s planning.

“All of that, all part of our planning, all part of our appreciation of time and things that need to be completed in that time when we will have to finalise the decision on whether to have or not to have the election according to the Constitution.”

He also confirmed the People’s Alliance annual general; meeting (AGM) was expected in August, describing it as “the last lap towards the election”, with campaign preparations already under way.

Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said last week the commission was ready to conduct both the election and a referendum.