FEO looks into complaint against Ro Teimumu Kepa

Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa confirms she is looking into a complaint received regarding SODELPA member and management board member, Ro Teimumu Kepa for not resigning and taking up board positions on the TSLS board and AFL board.

Mataiciwa says the Fijian Elections Office received a complaint last Friday regarding Ro Teimumu's membership and public office appointment for the two boards.

She says the FEO has written to TSLS and AFL to provide necessary information relevant to the complaint.

Once the information is received, Mataiciwa says they will forward the same to Ro Teimumu Kepa to allow for her to provide the FEO with a response.

She says Ro Teimumu’s response will determine their next course of action, whether to escalate the matter further or close it.

Mataiciwa says they will review all information received including the response from the person being complained of and make a decision from there.

The Acting Supervisor of Elections says at this stage, they are still gathering all the information.

When asked on the penalties in place for the breach, Mataiciwa says section 14(7) of the Political Parties Act will apply which states that it carries a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both upon conviction.