People's Alliance member Lynda Tabuya has removed a facebook post after the Supervisor of Elections issued a Section 144A Notice under the Electoral Act to Tabuya and directed her to remove or correct the facebook post as it was incorrect, misleading and false.
Tabuya had mentioned that on 4th March 2022, a team from the Fijian Elections Office facilitated the registration of members of the public at a school premises.
The Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem was going to refer the matter to FICAC for further investigation and necessary legal action including charges if Tabuya had failed to remove the post.
The penalty for failing to comply with the directive is 5 years imprisonment or $50,000.
In the now-removed post on her Facebook page, Tabuya thanked the Supervisor of Elections for reconsidering the school venues and allowing the public to register at Saint Thomas High School yesterday.
She went on to ask the Supervisor of Elections if this can be extended to all school venues from next week as schools are located in the very heart of communities and will be a great service to the public.
The letter to Tabuya by the Fijian Elections Office says they categorically state that the Supervisor of Elections did not give any authorisation or purported reconsideration to allow members of the public to be registered at school venues during normal school hours.
It further states that on 4th March 2022, the Fijian Elections Office successfully provided voter services to 17 voters at Saint Thomas High School. These were 5 students and 12 teachers from the school.
The FEO adds they were informed that on the date they were present at the school some individuals claiming to be activists for People's Alliance attempted to trespass into the school premises but were refused entry by the school administration.
The letter states that contrary to posts and claims by Tabuya, the FEO reiterates that registration conducted in secondary schools is meant for students and teachers only and not for the general public.
The FEO further says that Tabuya ought to know that her facebook post contains information that is false and is designed to mislead Fijians yet again into believing that they can access voter services in schools.
They add that such conduct also diminishes the public confidence in the performance of duties or functions of the Supervisor of Elections when they turn up to such locations based on the information published by Tabuya.
In response, Tabuya says she has removed the facebook post after receiving the letter from the Fijian Elections Office.
She says she has evidence that a member of the public enquired and was told by FEO officials that she could change her voter ID card.
Tabuya further adds that she filled out the form and had to leave though due to an emergency.
She claims that the woman has the form with her and this is the evidence they have.
Tabuya says in the interest of protecting those involved and that the Supervisor has reiterated not allowing the schools to register members of the public, she has removed the post.
The People's Alliance member adds it is most unfortunate though that the Supervisor of Elections will not allow members of the public as they have been lobbying to access voter registration at the schools.
Tabuya adds given the example of St Thomas High School as he has admitted had only 5 students and 12 teachers, surely he can be amenable to allow the public in that area to access this public service.
She says any accusation against their party or her is simply untrue.
Tabuya further says she is asking the Supervisor of Elections to reconsider his decision and decide in the best interest of the public where he can set up separate facilities at the school location if he’s concerned about COVID restrictions.
Tabuya says he owes a duty of care to the public to make the services of the FEO as accessible as possible.
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