Parliament to decide if Electoral Commission Secretary should be independent – EC Chair

Electoral Commission Chair Usaia Ratuvili says it will be up to Parliament to decide whether the secretary to the Commission should be an independent officer instead of the Supervisor of Elections.

This follows a question from Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights member and Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya while the Commission appeared before the Committee.

Koya asked the Chair whether he believes the Secretary should be completely independent so that the Supervisor of Elections can perform their duties single-mindedly and without fear or favour, while the Electoral Commission also benefits from having a qualified person as Secretary.

While responding, Ratuvili says to have another person at the level of a Secretary to the Commission would involve utilization of resources or funding.

He also says the Constitution only provides for a Commission and the Supervisor of Elections.

Ratuvili also explained that when there are appeals, the Supervisor steps out, and the Commission sits and hears the appeals—or when there are complaints, she steps out.

The Chair adds, operationally, it is well as it currently stands.