I think the attacks by the FijiFirst General Secretary is an attempt to undermine the FEO – Acting SOE

Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa says she thinks the attacks against the Fijian Elections Office by the FijiFirst Party General Secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is an attempt to undermine the FEO.

Mataiciwa says the direct approach can be made to the FEO instead of barking from outside.

The Acting Supervisor called a press conference saying that she had decided to take that step to ensure that the people of Fiji have access to factual information from the FEO and not from individuals claiming to be experts of the law.

Mataiciwa clarifies that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Mukesh Nand has written to the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and the Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu last Wednesday informing them of the inability to submit the Joint Report on the 2022 general elections due to the lack of quorum in the Electoral Commission.

Mataiciwa says the Electoral Commission and the Fijian Elections Office to date have not been able to table the Joint Report given that the Electoral Commission is unable to meet because it only has two existing members and 5 vacant seats.

She says the Electoral Act 2014 specifies that the commission, in making decisions, must have a full quorum of 4 members.

She further says she has already complied with the requirements of section 109 of the law by tabling the FEO report to the commission and this is published on the FEO website.

Mataiciwa adds that in line with current practice, this report is attached in the Joint Report. The Acting SOE also clarifies that they would like to state that the FEO and the Electoral Commission have no intention of breaching or not complying with existing legal requirements.

She says given the current situation, they are limited by vacancies in the Electoral Commission which has not been filled by the Constitutional Offices Commission.

When questioned if the FEO have received any response from the Prime Minister and Chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission, Sitiveni Rabuka or the Attorney General and commission member, Siromi Turaga on the appointments of the Electoral Commission members, Mataiciwa says they have not received any update from the Constitutional Offices Commission in regards to the appointment of the Electoral Commission members.

She says ever since the expiry of the terms of the Electoral Commission members in March, they have been following up with the Constitutional Offices Commission in regards to the appointments, but as of yesterday, they have not received a response.

She also highlighted that on Tuesday, the FijiFirst General Secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum claimed that she should have facilitated the processing of the two FijiFirst vacant seats in parliament.

Mataiciwa stresses that the responsibility of filling vacant seats in parliament lies with the Electoral Commission as stipulated in Section 64 of the Constitution.

She says that comments with regards to complaints made against her in her capacity as the Acting SOE is to be directed to the Electoral Commission.

We have sent questions to Attorney General, Siromi Turaga from the 13th of this month following concerns raised that the Constitutional offices Commission has not made appointments for the Electoral Commission and issues raised regarding the two FijiFirst parliamentary seats remaining vacant.

fijivillage News has again sent follow up questions on when the appointments will be made.

He is yet to respond.

Stay with us for developments.