Ro Teimumu Kepa has resigned from the Airports Fiji Limited Board and Tertiary Scholarships and Loan Services Board yesterday.

A concerned member of the public had lodged a report on October 20, 2023, against Ro Teimumu regarding her appointment to a public office while being a member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA).

Ro Teimumu was given until 4pm yesterday to give an explanation to the Fijian Elections Office (FEO).

Acting Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa said FEO received a response from Ro Teimumu attaching her resignation letters addressed to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad.

“We have done an independent analysis of the complaint, the facts, response, law and precedents and we find that Ro Teimumu Kepa has adhered to the requirements of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013,” Ms Mataiciwa said.

“Therefore, the matter is resolved and the complaint against Ro Teimumu dismissed.”

Ms Mataiciwa said the FEO’s role was to ensure all relevant stakeholders uphold and adhere to the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 [Act].

“If anyone chooses to breach the Act, despite being warned, we will refer them to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption [FICAC] for investigation,” she said.

“Therefore, any person taking up public office must ensure they comply with section 14(1) of the Act.”

Public office holders, according to section 14(1) of the Act, are not: 

a) Eligible to be an applicant or a member of a registered political party;

b) Eligible to hold office in a registered political party;

c) To engage in political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of that person’s office in an election; or

d) Publicly indicate support for or opposition to any proposed political party or a registered political party or candidate in an election.

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