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FEO reports party to FICAC for ‘breach of Act’

THE Fijian Elections Office (FEO) has reported the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICCA) for breach of provisions in the Electoral Act.

A statement released yesterday by FEO said they had found SODELPA in breach of Section 116 of the Electoral Act in that they failed to “immediately” publish the sources of funding for their proposed initiatives as part of the party’s campaign for the 2022 General Election.

Section 116 (4C) of the Act states that “any person representing or acting under the direction of the political party or candidate makes a financial commitment, whether orally or in writing, a written explanation must immediately be provided”.

According to the Act, the written explanation must explain how revenue for the financial commitment is to be raised, how expenditure is to be made, how expenditure is to be allocated to different sectors and budget agencies and how deficit is to be financed if expenditure exceeds revenue.

“Despite publishing most of its campaign promises as early as April 30, 2022, SODELPA has failed to specify how they are going to fund the promises ‘til to date,” said Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.

He said he had now exercised powers under Section 116(4)(a) and directed SODELPA to remove the said campaign materials before 7pm June 24, 2022.

Mr Saneem further said “the law requires the political party to do so immediately”.

Responding to queries from The Fiji Times, SODELPA party leader Viliame Gavoka said they would follow the directive.

“We will follow the directive, unreasonable as it is,” he said.

“We have been asking for the competent authority to vet our manifesto, but we have not been told anything.

“Now we are told FICAC is breathing down our necks. It is unprecedented and a downer when we are trying to engage in politics in the exercise of our democratic rights.”