The Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem stresses that he is acting within the law when he is getting legal advice at times from the Solicitor General, Sharvada Sharma.
While speaking on Straight Talk on Viti FM and Radio Sargam, Saneem said he is taking a practical approach to ensure that all the provisions stated under the Electoral Decree are followed by the Elections Office.
Saneem said they have processes in place at the Elections Office and they also decide as an office on when to take advice from the Solicitor General and whether they should follow that.
People’s Democratic Party Leader, Felix Anthony has publicly raised concern on why the Supervisor of Elections is seeking legal advice from the Solicitor General.
Anthony said the Solicitor General reports to the Attorney General as he is based at the Office of the Attorney General.
The PDP Leader said the Attorney General himself is the General Secretary of the FijiFirst Party, and Anthony raises the question on whether it is appropriate for the Supervisor to get legal advice from the Solicitor General.
Under the 2013 constitution, the Solicitor General is responsible for providing independent legal advice to government and to the holder of a public office on request.
Straight Talk - Mohammed Saneem
