Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has urged the government to retain the current proportional electoral system for the 2026 general election and defer major electoral changes to the next administration, warning that the government appears to be hastening significant policy and governance decisions as the polls draw near.
Speaking on the pace of reforms, Narube said the administration was moving within a “short window” and appeared to have only now “woken up” to the fact elections are approaching. He pointed to the long-delayed local government election — a pledge the government made early in its term — noting that “three and a half years on, we are still not sure of the actual date.” That uncertainty, he said, undermines preparations and should give pause before embarking on further systemic changes.
Narube stressed the urgent need for comprehensive voter education if any shift in electoral arrangements is contemplated. He warned voters must be taught clearly about the differences between the national proportional representation system and the first-past-the-post ward system that would govern municipal contests, a process he said “will take time.” The Unity Fiji leader suggested that insufficient awareness could lead to confusion and misinformed choices at the ballot box.
He also questioned the practicality of scheduling local government and general elections close together, citing constrained public finances and national capacity. Narube singled out ongoing fuel supply concerns as a potential logistical obstacle that could hamper election delivery, and said holding both polls within a narrow timeframe would place pressure on “fragile finances.”
Narube’s comments come in response to reform proposals from the Electoral Commission that include considerations such as the size of Parliament and reserved parliamentary seats for women. He urged that such proposals be subjected to wider public consultation rather than implemented hurriedly. On the constitutional review process, Narube warned that a referendum held close to general elections could affect fairness and voters’ ability to make considered judgements, a scenario he said must be avoided.
Framing his intervention as a call for prudence, Narube argued major structural changes are better left for the next government to decide, when there would be more time for public engagement, voter education and logistical planning. “It appears that the Government has finally woken up to the fact that elections are around the corner and it is trying its very best to start these significant events within the short window that it has,” he said. “We must not be fooled.”
The Unity Fiji leader’s stance adds to ongoing public debate over timing and scope of electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 contest. His emphasis on voter education and broader consultation underscores concerns that rushed changes, especially those touching the constitution or electoral mechanics, could undermine confidence in the electoral process if not carefully managed.
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