Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama remains a registered voter and maintained his role as an office holder within the Fiji First Party when he signed letters dismissing party members who supported a motion for a salary increase in Parliament. Consequently, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has decided not to press charges against him.
Bainimarama was previously convicted on May 9, 2024, for attempting to pervert the course of justice, and the complaint against him suggested that despite his conviction, he continued to operate as the Leader of the Fiji First Party. FICAC reported that an investigation revealed he received a notice about his removal from the National Register of Voters dated May 30, 2024, to which he did not respond within the requisite 14-day period. His removal from the register took effect on June 14, 2024.
However, FICAC determined that since he was still registered and an office holder at the time he signed the dismissal letters, he was legally allowed to serve as Party Leader under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.
This conclusion aligns with FICAC’s recent trend in handling cases against Bainimarama, as several investigations into allegations of false declarations of income, assets, and liabilities for the years 2014-2019 and 2022 have concluded without finding sufficient evidence against him. The organization has consistently reaffirmed that Bainimarama properly declared his financial interests.
As a positive note, this underscores the importance of due process and the integrity of legal investigations, which are crucial in maintaining the public’s trust in democratic institutions. The closing of these investigations may pave the way for a clearer political landscape in Fiji as the government continues to evolve in its governance and accountability measures.
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