Police offers assurance to parties
Top officers from the Fiji Police Force visited a number of political parties this past week.
They included the Chief Operations Officer (COO) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan and Commanding Officer (CO) Police Special Response Unit (PSRU) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Livai Driu.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Siteveni Qiliho, said the visit was to personally deliver the assurance of Police that all necessary safety and security measures are being adopted to ensure political parties, candidates and supporters are able to freely exercise their political rights as guaranteed under the Fijian Constitution.
“So far, ACP Khan and SSP Driu have met with People’s Alliance Party Leader Sitiveni Rabuka, Fiji Labour Party General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry, Social Democratic Liberal Party Leader Viliame Gavoka and National Federation Party Leader Biman Prasad. They will be visiting the remaining political parties in the coming days,” he said.
“However, rather disturbingly, the Fiji Police Force notes with deep concern that a number of acts of vandalism and intimidation targeting only FijiFirst has been reported.
“These range from damaging FijiFirst billboards, banners and campaign material on vehicles, verbal and physical intimidation of its supporters, and hate posts on social media.
Fijians are reminded that such acts of vandalism, intimidation and political thuggery carry heavy penalties under Fijian laws.
“Since such acts fall under electoral offences, the Police Force will collaborate with FICAC to conduct investigations.
“FICAC, after final assessment, will institute possible prosecution.
“The Fiji Police Force wishes to assure all political parties, their candidates, and supporters that we are here to provide a safe, secure, and conducive environment to enable every Fijian to freely exercise their political rights.
“And, we urge all Fijians to freely exercise your political rights without fear.”
The parties were urged to report any threats of violence intimidation, and damage to property to your nearest police station.
“We have instructed all our police stations and officers to give priority to any such complaints,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said.
“We also warn all perpetrators and would be perpetrators that we would come down hard on all offenders and would leave no stone unturned.
“We also inform all political parties that it is equally your responsibility to ensure that none of your respective leaders, party officials or supporters engage in any acts of vandalism intimidation or damage to property.
“The Fiji Police Force will continue to monitor all political activities to ensure that we have safe democratic environment for the conduct of free and fair elections.”