The Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, has raised serious allegations against former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Barbara Malimali, claiming abuse of office, harassment, and intimidation. In her complaint, Mataiciwa conveyed her concerns to FijiLive, detailing how the current Commissioner for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) engaged in actions that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Mataiciwa’s claims highlight that Malimali reportedly harassed and intimidated both her and the staff of the Fijian Elections Office, who are witnesses in an ongoing case concerning Malimali’s previous conduct. Furthermore, she accused Malimali of misusing sensitive information from her tenure to further intimidate those in the Fijian Elections Office.
The complaint also mentioned a recent raid by FICAC on the Electoral Commission Office in September, which led the Commission to seek legal assistance from the Fijian Elections Office’s legal team. Mataiciwa expressed concern that Malimali’s actions resemble a witch-hunt aimed at discrediting Fijian Elections Office personnel as witnesses in the abuse of office allegations against her, and could potentially hinder justice.
She firmly stated that such conduct amounts to harassment and poses a threat to the constitutional rights of the involved witnesses. She emphasized that the actions violate the provisions of the Crimes Act 2009 regarding abuse of office and obstruction of justice. Furthermore, Mataiciwa has called upon the Fiji Police Force to launch an investigation and take action against the FICAC Commissioner.
FijiLive is currently seeking a response from FICAC regarding these serious allegations.
This situation underscores the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of electoral bodies and the legal system. It also serves as a reminder of the need for accountability among officials to ensure public trust in governance. As the investigation unfolds, there is hope that transparency and justice will prevail, reinforcing the principles of democracy in Fiji.
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