Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa has made serious allegations against the Electoral Commission of Fiji (ECF), which she describes as “increasingly obstructive and politicized.” This claim surfaced in a Commission of Inquiry report following her testimony regarding a directive she received from the ECF on June 13, 2024. The directive instructed her to notify individuals about complaints against them and to present these complaints to the ECF prior to taking further action, including referrals to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Mataiciwa contends that this directive was unlawful and contradicted her responsibilities under the Electoral Act, which requires her to immediately refer any suspected breaches of election-related offenses directly to FICAC. After seeking internal and external legal advice, she was confirmed in her belief that the ECF’s directive should not be followed. Consequently, she continued to handle complaints as mandated by law, citing a breakdown in her relationship with the ECF, particularly after she reported complaints against senior figures associated with the ECF.
This situation mirrors previous situations involving Barbara Malimali, the former Chairperson of the ECF, who has faced allegations of abuse of office, harassment, and intimidation. Mataiciwa has lodged a formal complaint against Malimali, accusing her of misconduct, including the misuse of confidential information and intimidation of witnesses within the Fijian Elections Office. The tensions between Mataiciwa and Malimali escalate the ongoing scrutiny of the ECF’s actions and the integrity of Fiji’s electoral process.
This unfolding scenario raises important questions about accountability within Fiji’s electoral governance, emphasizing the necessity for transparent practices to uphold the integrity of democratic institutions. The investigations prompted by these allegations offer a hopeful prospect for reform, aiming to strengthen electoral processes and enhance public confidence in governance. As these inquiries progress, there lies an opportunity for significant improvements in how electoral matters are handled, fostering a system that truly reflects the democratic values of Fiji.
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