The Electoral Commission extends its sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the late Honourable Agni Deo Singh, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations, following his passing in Brisbane on 12 September 2026.
The Electoral Commission acknowledges the late Honourable Singh’s contribution to Fiji through his service in Parliament, Government and his longstanding advocacy for workers.
Following his passing, the Electoral Commission wishes to clarify the constitutional position regarding the resulting vacancy in the membership of Parliament.
Under section 64(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, the Electoral Commission is ordinarily responsible for awarding a vacant parliamentary seat held by a member of a political party to the highest-ranked available candidate of the same political party from the most recent General Election.
However, section 64(3) of the Constitution expressly provides that where a seat becomes vacant more than three years and six months after the first meeting of Parliament following the most recent General Election, the seat shall remain vacant until the next General Election.
The constitutional period specified under section 64(3) has now elapsed as of 24 June, 2026.
Accordingly, the parliamentary seat left vacant following the passing of the Honourable Agni Deo Singh will not be filled and will remain vacant until the next General Election.
The Electoral Commission will therefore not undertake any process to award the vacant seat to another candidate. The Electoral Commission issues this clarification in the interest of ensuring that the constitutional process relating to vacancies in the membership of Parliament is clearly understood.
