FEO Drama Unfolds

The Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, last night said he had not received a letter pertaining to the removal of acting supervisor of elections (SoE) Ana Mataiciwa.

Mr Rabuka is the chair of the Constitutional Offices Commission (CoC), the body responsible for providing advice to the President of the appointment of the incumbent.

He was in Taveuni attending the Cakaudrove Provincial Council meeting. He returns to Suva today.

The question of the removal of Ms Mataiciwa is understood to have stemmed from Mr Rabuka's comments in the Fiji Sun regarding the conduct of some of his ministers.

Last month, it was reported that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad was under investigation by the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) on allegations of non-declaration of assets. FEO has referred Mr Prasad to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Later, it was reported that Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga was under Police investigation for allegations of financial misconduct while the Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Kalaveti Ravu had also been referred to FICAC.

Yesterday, the Fiji Labour Party (FLP) issued a statement claiming that a letter was sent to CoC.

The letter is understood to outline the replacement of Ms Mataiciwa by a former chair of the Electoral Commission.

But yesterday at least three political parties rallied with Ms Mataiciwa and called on the CoC to confirm her appointment without any further delay.

Ms Mataiciwa applied for the SoE post and was interviewed for the role.

In January, Mr Rabuka stated that the CoC had already decided on the substantive appointee and he could not see why the announcement was being delayed.

FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry said: “We believe from what has transpired that there are elements within government seeking to remove Ms Mataiciwa."

“Is it because she has referred complaints lodged against some senior Cabinet Ministers to FICAC?

“If so, this is outright interference with the due process particularly as the appointment had already been made according to the Prime Minister who is the Chair of CoC.”

Social Democratic Liberal Party General Secretary Viliame Takayawa said: “We are with Acting SOE to remain.”

Unity Party leader Savenaca Narube said: “I have every confidence in her since she took over the position.”

The CoC Secretariat, led by the Attorney-General, had not responded to our queries when this edition went to press.

Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj