SOE waiting for AG and SG on delay in glitch investigation

The Fijian Elections Office is concerned as it has not received any further updates from the Attorney General and the Solicitor General on the investigation into the infamous ‘glitch’ that occurred during the 2022 general elections.

When questioned by fijivillage News, Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa says they have been following up and nothing has been forthcoming to date.

Mataiciwa is now referring all questions to the Attorney General, Siromi Turaga and Solicitor General, Ropate Green Lomavatu.

She says at the moment there are many theories on the glitch.

Mataiciwa says to put these theories to rest we need to resolve the glitch drama.

The Supervisor of Elections says the FEO has willingly assisted in the glitch audit by taking a proactive approach in providing all the information required to conduct such an audit.

She says right now, not resolving the glitch issue has an impact on their operations, their storage space issues, financial implications, and mistrust from their stakeholders.

Mataiciwa says once it's resolved, they can close this chapter and move on with the preparations for the Local Government Elections and the 2026 General Elections.

In February this year, the Electoral Commission of Fiji expressed dismay that the country was still waiting for answers on the glitch that took the country by surprise during the counting of votes in the 2022 General Elections.

Commission Chair, Barbara Malimali said every day, every week, and every month that we wait for an investigation to be done is costing the country in unnecessary rent as the ballot boxes have to be stored.

Malimali added that the continued delay in finalizing the election audit will have other repercussions.

She said it will also leave the Fijian Elections Office with insufficient time to undertake registration for the municipal elections which the government wishes to hold in a few months, and the political parties insufficient time to campaign.

Malimali said that the implications of this delay are of serious concern to the Commission.

She said they understand that the Government has its processes to follow however, it is now a year since the FEO took this matter up with them, and the public deserve answers.

fijivillage News has contacted the Attorney General and we are awaiting his response.