The Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) is convening this afternoon, as confirmed by Prime Minister and Chairperson Sitiveni Rabuka during an interview yesterday.
In May, the COC had advised President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere on the selection of candidates for the positions of Supervisor of Elections (SoE), Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS), and the Auditor-General.
“The COC will meet tomorrow (today) afternoon. They have not sent those out, they might come in today (yesterday),” stated Mr. Rabuka.
The COC is composed of Mr. Rabuka, Government representative Jon Apted, Cema Bolabola, Leader of Opposition Inia Seruiratu, Opposition representative Tupou Draunidalo, and Attorney-General Graham Leung.
The COC is responsible for advising and recommending to the President the appointments of various key positions, including the Chair and members of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, the Electoral Commission, the Supervisor of Elections, the Parliament Secretary General, the Public Service Commission chair and members, the Police Commissioner, the Fiji Correction Services Commissioner, the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, the Auditor-General, and the Reserve Bank Governor.
The Secretary for COC, Solicitor-General Ropate Green, did not provide any comments when this report was compiled.
In related news, the 2024-2025 National Budget has allocated $200,000 to the commission, a significant increase from the $20,000 allocated in the 2023-2024 budget.