Acting Attorney General Siromi Turaga has unequivocally rejected claims that the upcoming general election in Fiji may be postponed, reaffirming that elections are a constitutional requirement that cannot be circumvented. According to Turaga, Section 58 of the Constitution clearly states that Parliament has a maximum lifespan of four years, reinforcing the necessity of holding elections.
“There will be elections. We are a government that lives by the rule of law. We cannot and will not deviate from it,” Turaga stated emphatically. He outlined that the earliest date for the writ of election to be issued is June 24, leading to polling on August 7. The last possible date for issuing the writ is December 24, with the final lawful election date set for February 6.
Preparations for the election process are already underway, as the Fiji Law Reform Commission has completed its review of the electoral laws. This report is currently under review by the Solicitor-General’s Office. The timeline for the upcoming elections will also be influenced by the establishment of the Constitutional Review Commission, which the Prime Minister is expected to announce shortly. Turaga emphasized that once the commission is appointed, a detailed and organized timeline would follow.
“As Attorney General, my legacy is delivering elections—free, fair, and credible elections,” Turaga expressed. He also indicated that adjustments to election regulations are on the horizon, aiming to move away from certain elements of the electoral framework used in the 2014 and 2018 elections. The aim is to simplify the voting procedure to ensure it is more user-friendly, especially for voters in rural and non-urban areas.
Turaga has cautioned the public against being misled by speculation about possible indefinite postponements of the elections, reinforcing the government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure the electoral process remains intact. This dedication to a transparent electoral process underlines a positive trend toward fostering democracy in Fiji.