AG says Solicitor General is independent and it’s not his department while Chaudhry says Supervisor of Elections shouldn’t have been represented by the State Law Office

AG says Solicitor General is independent and it’s not his department while Chaudhry says Supervisor of Elections shouldn’t have been represented by the State Law Office

By Vijay Narayan , Rashika Kumar
30/08/2021
Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and FLP Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry.

Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says according to the Fijian Constitution, the Office of the Solicitor General is independent and it is not his department while Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says the Supervisor of Elections in their case against SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula should not have been represented by the State Law Office.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the Government since the last nine years has been saying that the Solicitor General’s Office is independent and the Opposition themselves have been accusing the Solicitor General and his office of not being independent.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

The Attorney General adds Nawaikula lawyers, Graham Leung was the Chair of the Electoral Commission in 2006 while Jon Apted is a former Supervisor of Elections.

He says in his humble opinion, it was the responsibility of counsel from both sides to be able to represent and argue the constitutional provisions.

0% buffered00:00Current time00:00

Meanwhile, FLP Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry had earlier said Sayed-Khaiyum's absurd claim that lawyers from both the sides “did not do a good job”, reflects poorly on his own Solicitor General who appeared for the Supervisor of Elections, albeit quite improperly.

The FLP Leader says as holders of an independent constitutional office, the Supervisor of Elections should not have been represented by the State Law Office in the first place.

He says it is only proper that all independent officeholders have legal representation separate from that of the State.

Chaudhry says the Niko Nawaikula case did not evolve around the issue of registering one’s name twice, as alluded to by the Attorney General.

He says it was about him using his common name to register and not the name on his birth certificate.

FEATURE NEWS
Bau delegation presents traditional gifts to Tui Nayau ahead of installation as Tui Lau
In recognition of the strong ties between Lau and the chiefly island of Bau, the Bauan delegation has presented its tradition gift to the Tui Nayau, R...
12 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Māori and Vuanirewa chiefly families reconnect through Tui Lau installation
The Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō, and her family have been looking forward to witnessing the installation of the Sau kei ...
9 hours ago

Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrate 50th anniversary
It was a day of celebration as the staff of Lakeba Sub-divisional Hospital celebrated the hospital's 50th anniversary with the daughter of the late ...
11 hours ago

Positive signs for Fiji as tariff talks continue ahead of extended August 1 deadline
As U.S. President Donald Trump's deadline for increased tariffs has been extended, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman ...
12 hours ago

FCCC warns of AI-generated deepfake scam using fake news video and investment claims
People are being alerted to a highly deceptive scam video currently circulating online which is a deepfake, generated using artificial intelligence ...
12 hours ago

Radrodro urges students to research TSLS programs and choose career paths Fiji needs
Students should also know and do research about programs in the TSLS and not follow their friends while enrolling in courses that they regret ...
13 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
18 hours ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
3 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
6 days ago

TOP