Narube makes his case to supporters
At the Western Division gathering, Narube said he saw a shift in political support across Fiji. "We are going to lead this country," he told supporters, according to The Fiji Times.
He urged voters to focus on the coming contest: "Do not look at that election, that is the past. Look at this election, this is the future."
Narube said dissatisfaction with self-serving leaders was bringing together people across racial, age and social groups. Referring to past hardships, he also said Fiji did not want any more coup leaders.
Proposed candidates and selection process
The candidates named by The Fiji Times include Felix Randolph Kaofa Parker, Dr Jone Havea, Howard John Politini, Naomi Matanitobua Raikaci, Jone Baravilala Rasi and Jone Seniroqa. The paper also named Isikeli Vuniwaqa, Ranjina Kaur, Watisoni Raikadroka, Ratu Kaliova Tuwawa Nabeka, Ratu Isireli Vesikula and Awadh Sharma.
Fiji Sun's report on the 23 proposed candidates identified former chief magistrate Naomi Raikaci, former Commissioner Western Mesake Ledua and former senior military officer Samuela Tupou among the group. The slate also includes medical professional Dr Jone Havea, lawyers, former civil servants, business professionals, farmers, youth representatives and community advocates.
The party has reported receiving 120 applications for 55 candidate positions, according to Fiji Sun. Narube described the selection as competitive, with screening continuing and further applications still coming in.
Those figures were released alongside the party's account of its Annual General Meeting at Nasigatoka Village Hall in Sigatoka, which it described as the best-attended AGM in its history.
Policy pledges and voter survey
The candidate announcements follow Unity Fiji's manifesto launch in Nahigatoka on September 19, 2026. According to fijivillage, it was the first party to release a manifesto for the election.
The manifesto promises a phased increase in the minimum wage to a living wage of $8 an hour, while retaining zero VAT on essential items and prescribed medicines. Other pledges would raise the income tax threshold from $30,000 to $40,000, increase senior citizens' allowances to $150 a month and bring the number of government ministers down to around 18.
Recent polling placed Unity Fiji second in party support. The first wave of the Centre for Democracy and Dialogue (CDD) Fiji National Electoral Opinion Survey recorded support of 13.6% for Unity Fiji and 13.1% for SODELPA, The Fiji Times reported.
The survey drew on 1,673 completed interviews conducted between September and October 2026. Narube was also second among preferred candidates for prime minister, at 9%.
Request to suspend election campaigning
Separately, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has asked the Electoral Commission to suspend all general election campaigning until after the return of the Writ for the Referendum, according to the Fiji Government.
The national referendum on the proposed new constitution is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2026. The President assented to the National Referendum Act 2026 on October 2.
The referendum writ is expected on November 9, 2026, and results are expected by December 14, 2026.
