The Fijian Elections Office has revealed that $44,000 in Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) payments from the 2018 General Election still remains unpaid to several temporary workers. This disclosure emerged during a recent Public Accounts Committee review of the FEO’s 2021-2022 Audit Report.
Financial Controller at the FEO, Romika Sewak, explained that the delay is due to incomplete employee information for some of the approximately 12,000 temporary election workers. Issues related to verification, including missing birth certificates and incorrect FNPF numbers, have hindered the processing of these payments.
A total of $160,000 in government grants from the 2017-2018 financial year was transferred into a trust fund to facilitate these payments, but verification challenges have meant that only part of this amount was successfully processed.
The FEO is currently taking steps to mitigate this issue by closely collaborating with FNPF to verify the remaining employee data, aiming to expedite the payment process. This cooperative effort reflects a commitment to ensure that all electoral workers receive the compensation they are owed.
Efforts to improve data collection and verification processes are vital for smooth operations in future electoral events, ensuring timely payment to all personnel involved. The FEO’s actions underscore a proactive stance in addressing these accountability issues, fostering a hope for improved efficiency and transparency in the management of electoral funds moving forward.
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