Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa testified in court regarding the trial of former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem. Her testimony addressed various critical issues related to the allegations against Saneem, who is accused of benefiting unlawfully from government funds and failing to adhere to electoral laws.
Mataiciwa mentioned that if she had referenced other documents earlier, she would have sought further clarification, underscoring the complexity of the documents involved. She confirmed that no actions were taken to address the allegations against Saneem related to natural justice, suggesting procedural shortcomings.
During cross-examination by defense counsel Devanesh Sharma, Mataiciwa disclosed her unawareness of Saneem’s pending acting allowance, highlighting communication gaps within the organization. She also acknowledged a past incident where Saneem suspended an officer due to issues with a mobile wallet transaction.
The trial proceedings touched on Mataiciwa’s decision to bypass the requirement in Section 18 of the Electoral Act to refer alleged corruption cases to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). She did not trust the institution, leading her to involve the police instead. This decision reflects challenges in institutional trust and its impact on proceedings.
Mataiciwa further confirmed details about a Deed of Variation, which did not favor Saneem, requiring him to pay regular taxes unless a penalty occurred, with such penalties compensated by the government. Her initial complaint had only cited the Crimes Act, and she admitted to preferring police handling of criminal allegations from the Elections Office.
This trial, set to continue, highlights intricate issues of governance, accountability, and procedural transparency in Fiji. It was revealed that the charges against Saneem and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum involve serious allegations of abuse of office and receiving corrupt benefits, underlining broader concerns regarding ethical conduct in public service. As these proceedings unfold, they underscore the importance of reinforcing public trust and setting precedents for future governance practices.
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