Notice issued to FLP’s Haroon Ali Shah

The Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem yesterday issued a Section 144 notice to Haroon Ali Shah, representative of the Fiji Labour Party.

The notice has directed him to correct a statement issued on May 18, 2022 in relation to tender procurement practices of the government. Following clarification from the chair of the Government Tender Board, the supervisor has found that the statements at the campaign rally of the Fiji Labour Party were designed to influence the outcome of the election but were manifestly false and without any evidence.

Mr Shah has been directed to immediately correct the statements and provide proof to the Supervisor of having executed the same.

In any event, the Supervisor has given Mr Shah until 5pm tomorrow to do so, failing which he will be referred to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, according to law.

“The Fijian Elections Office encourages all political parties and their representatives to engage in ethical Campaign practices for the 2022 General Election” remarked Saneem.

Section 144A (4) of the Electoral Act states:

“Any person or political party that contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both”

Training

Meanwhile, in separate release, the Fijian Elections Office launched a three-day Area Officers Training for the 2022 General Election at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva which began yeseterday. While addressing the 39 participants from all the four divisions, Mr Saneem said the selected officials would play a key role in the administration of the 2022 General Election.

“You have been selected on merit and as election officials you must ensure that you are fair, honest, impartial, and apolitical in the conduct of your duties,” Mr Saneem emphasised.

Area Officers serve as a link between field staff and the divisional office and are responsible for the implementation of operational plans within their electoral areas.

The training is being co-facilitated by Technical Advisors from Australia and New Zealand with more sessions to be held in July and August this year.