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The National Referendum and General Election preparations will now run side by side, with the Electoral Commission and Fijian Elections Office managing both processes.

The referendum is set for December 9.

The Electoral Commission will next determine and announce the campaign period for the referendum.

Under the National Referendum Act, the Commission must also consider whether General Election campaigning and related activities should be suspended for all or part of the referendum campaign period.

Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili states the Commission and the FEO now face the task of managing two major electoral processes at the same time.

The FEO has also opened postal voting applications for eligible referendum voters.

Eligible voters can apply online and are being urged to submit their applications early and check the requirements before applying.

Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said the FEO’s immediate focus was on putting the necessary arrangements in place for the referendum.

She states the work has already started and teams are ready to assist voters with information and services.

The FEO will also continue its Your Election, Your Say Phase Two outreach across Fiji and overseas.

Teams will provide voter services, assist with registration matters and answer questions about the referendum as more information becomes available.

Mataiciwa adds that voters should get information directly from the FEO rather than rely on information that may be inaccurate.

Registered voters do not need to register again for the referendum.

Existing voter registration will cover both the General Election and the National Referendum.

However, voters are being urged to check that their registration details are correct and update them if necessary.

The FEO says preparations for the General Election will continue alongside the referendum work.

Information on voting arrangements for Fijians living overseas will also be released as those arrangements are confirmed.

The Electoral Commission and the FEO say further information on key dates, voter services and voting arrangements will be released through their official platforms.