Questions remain unanswered on how and why Suresh Chandra remained the Electoral Commission Chairman until the end of 2021 after his legal practicing certificate was suspended in July 2020

Questions remain unanswered on how and why Suresh Chandra remained the Electoral Commission Chairman until the end of 2021 after his legal practicing certificate was suspended in July 2020.

According to the Constitution, the Electoral Commission consists of a Chairperson who is or is qualified to be a judge, and 6 other members.

When asked by fijivillage last week on how Suresh Chandra remained in the position as Electoral Commission Chairman when he did not have a valid legal practicing certificate, Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says they do not issue certificates and the question is a Mahendra Chaudhry line.

Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry says they are still waiting for the answers and are planning to take legal action.

Chandra is currently facing six counts of professional misconduct before the Independent Legal Services Commission.

He was a Principal of MC Lawyers and Trustee of MC Lawyers Trust Account kept with Bank of Baroda.

It was earlier heard in court that Chandra has not been a holder of a valid practicing certificate since 2020.

Section 12 of the Trust Accounts Act requires a trustee to submit audit reports for each financial period.

It was heard in court that Chandra did not submit his audit reports for three financial periods from 2016 to 2018.

Chandra provided the Chief Registrar with four extensions from the Office of the Attorney General to submit his pending audit reports.

The extension was given pursuant to section 12(2) of the Trust Accounts Act.

It was highlighted that the last extension was granted until 31st July 2020 for Chandra to submit his three pending audit reports.

After that no further extension was granted and Chandra’s practising certificate was not renewed.