Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa says her referral of the complaint against Deputy Prime Minister and National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad to FICAC was not only within her statutory rights as the Acting Supervisor to act on the complaint but equally under her statutory duty to refer the matter.
In response to the allegations made by the Professor Prasad, the Acting Supervisor Mataiciwa reiterates Section 18 of the Electoral Act 2014 which states that if the Electoral Commission or the Supervisor becomes aware at any time of the probable commission of an election related criminal offence including any criminal offence prescribed in the Act, it must immediately report the matter in writing to FICAC, and all election officials must fully cooperate in the investigation of any election related offence.
Mataiciwa says her office received the complaint, the complaints process was followed, and after assessment, powers under Section 18 of the Act was invoked, requesting FICAC to investigate a 'probable' breach.
She says this must not be misconstrued as finding Professor Prasad guilty of any offence.
Mataiciwa says this underscores her dedication to upholding independence, electoral integrity, and transparency.
She says in respect of FICAC’s statutory role to investigate probable breaches to the three existing electoral laws, all enquiries regarding the complaint should be directed to FICAC.
Deputy Prime Minister and National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says he can assure the Fijian Elections Office, and the public, that the allegations in respect of his declaration of assets and liabilities as reported by the Fiji Sun are completely malicious and without substance.
Professor Prasad says according to the front-page report, the FEO has referred a complaint against him to FICAC for investigation.
He says he is surprised to read this.
The Deputy Prime Minister says the FEO has not put these allegations to him for response or comment.
He says he does not see how the Acting Registrar of Political Parties and Supervisor of Elections could reach the view that there was a case for FICAC to investigate without first asking for answers from him.
Professor Prasad says his lawyers will be writing separately to her on this.
He also says nobody from the Fiji Sun contacted him for his comment on the news published today.
The Deputy Prime Minister says the report stated that he said “this is not a good time” when he was supposedly contacted by a journalist to comment on the news.
Professor Prasad says this is unethical and irresponsible.
He says this is also absolutely false and a concoction.
His lawyers will also be writing to the Fiji Sun on this issue.
We have sought comments from the Acting Registrar of Parties, Ana Mataiciwa and the Fiji Sun.
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