The Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, has lodged a formal complaint against former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Barbara Malimali. The complaint alleges that Malimali engaged in abuse of office, harassment, and intimidation.
In her correspondence to FijiLive, Mataiciwa details troubling actions taken by the newly appointed Commissioner for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). She claims that Malimali harassed her and other members of the Fijian Elections Office, who are witnesses in an ongoing case involving allegations against Malimali from her tenure as Electoral Commission Chair. Mataiciwa further accuses Malimali of misusing confidential information obtained from her office to target and intimidate the Fijian Elections Office and the Supervisor of Elections while this case is active.
Mataiciwa’s complaint references a raid conducted by FICAC at the Electoral Commission Office in September, where the office sought legal assistance from the Fijian Elections Office’s Legal Team.
She expressed concerns, stating, “It is evident that Malimali has gone on a witch-hunt to intimidate and harass the Fijian Elections Office by filing all of these complaints.” Mataiciwa emphasized that this behavior aims to discredit the Elections Office as witnesses and obstruct justice, which infringes upon their constitutionally protected rights.
Her assertions indicate that Malimali’s actions may violate the Crimes Act 2009, specifically section 190(d) and (e), related to abuse of office and obstructing justice. Mataiciwa urged the Fiji Police Force to investigate further and take appropriate legal action against the FICAC Commissioner.
FijiLive has reached out to FICAC for their side of the story.
This situation underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and accountability within electoral institutions. It is crucial for the effective functioning of democratic processes that allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated to promote public confidence in the electoral system.
In summary, this case brings to light serious allegations within Fiji’s electoral apparatus, highlighting the need for transparency and justice in governance.
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