The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the number of parliamentary seats in Fiji will remain at 55 for the upcoming General Election. This decision was finalized during the Commission’s meeting on December 11, 2025, in accordance with its constitutional duties outlined in Section 54 of the 2013 Constitution.
As per Section 54(2), the EC is mandated to review the composition of Parliament at least one year prior to a general election. This review aims to adjust the number of Members of Parliament to maintain a consistent ratio of MPs to the population, reminiscent of the first general election held under this Constitution.
Justice Usaia Ratuvili, the Chairperson of the EC, stated that the Commission’s review involved calculations from two official data sources: census-based population figures and information from the National Register of Voters. Interestingly, these two sets of data presented opposing conclusions. The census data indicated a need for a reduction in parliamentary seats, while the voter registration data suggested an increase.
After careful consideration of these divergent results, Justice Ratuvili remarked that the Commission determined that maintaining the current number of seats aligns best with the intent and requirements of Section 54(2). Consequently, the EC has resolved that the number of parliamentary seats will remain unchanged at 55 for the next General Election.
This decision not only brings clarity to the parliamentary structure ahead of the election but also reassures voters that they will be electing the same number of Members of Parliament as in the last election. This consistency can potentially enhance voter confidence and stability in the electoral process.