Electoral Commission won't monitor Govt spending without complaints

The Electoral Commission will not independently investigate or monitor Government spending ahead of the next general election, saying it can only act when formal complaints are lodged.

Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili made the position clear yesterday after former Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Barbara Malimali called on the Commission to scrutinise infrastructure projects and handouts she feared could amount to vote-buying.

“We act on complaints we receive,” Justice Ratuvili told this masthead.

“If there’s a genuine complaint, and that has to be reported to FICAC. That’s the process. We just don’t do it on our own.”

Ms Malimali raised the issue on Wednesday during the State of the Fijian Economy Dialogue in Suva, citing a surge in roadworks and bridge repairs in the Western Division and questioning whether such spending was appropriate with an election approaching.

Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry and Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube supported her concerns, while National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad said no caretaker provisions exist under current law.

Former Finance Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said unbudgeted capital projects and grocery distributions warranted Electoral Commission oversight.

Justice Ratuvili’s response places responsibility on members of the public and civil society groups to formally report suspected breaches to FICAC, rather than expecting the Commission to proactively monitor pre-election Government activity.

Fiji's next general election must be held no later than February 2027.