‘Probable breaches’

Three referred to FICAC

COMPLAINTS lodged with the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) against three prominent individuals have been referred to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Acting Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa confirmed the FEO had received complaints against three individuals who had been involved in a political party, alleging that the trio failed to declare some of their assets during an election year as required under electoral legislation.

“We have conducted our own verification and analysis of the three complaints and found that there could be probable breaches to the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013,” Ms Mataiciwa said.

She added that on February 15, 2024, the FEO referred these complaints against the three persons to FICAC for their analysis and determination on the matters.

Ms Mataiciwa also explained the process involved in investigating such complaints lodged with the FEO.

“If the complaint is in regard to internal matters, the complainant is informed to direct their complaint to the political party as they have their own dispute mechanism resolutions in place.

“However, if the complaint is in regard to probable breaches of any of the existing three electoral laws, then this is where we will initiate our verification and analysis process.

“If it is in regard to their declarations, then we rely on their sworn declarations to verify with relevant institutions. The response from the relevant institutions would determine our next course of action.”

However, she said if this was not in relation to sworn declarations, then FEO would verify with the relevant institutions first before they wrote to the subject of inquiry to provide their response to the allegations.

“The response from the subject of inquiry would then determine our next course of action.”

No timeframe has been given on when an outcome will be determined regarding these complaints.