National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says he will write to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka and Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu regarding an alleged incident of intimidation involving a public officer.
Speaking at the Party’s Working Committee meeting in Rakiraki, Professor Prasad says it was brought to his attention on Thursday evening that a senior civil servant in the Western Division had contacted a public officer to ask why a particular civil servant had applied for candidacy with the NFP.
He says the incident occurred in Ra, where the senior civil servant allegedly claimed the information had come from police intelligence.
Professor Prasad described the incident as intimidation, saying there are no restrictions preventing civil servants or public officers from applying to become election candidates.
He says Fiji’s electoral laws require public officers, including civil servants, police officers, military personnel and trade unionists, to resign only after they have been confirmed and announced as candidates, as there is no guarantee that everyone who expresses interest will be endorsed.
The former Deputy Prime Minister says that once all the facts have been confirmed, he will raise the matter with the Police Commissioner regarding the conduct of those involved in what he described as an act of intimidation.
Professor Prasad say he believes someone within the police force may have colluded with certain members of the community.
He also intends to raise the issue with the Prime Minister, who is responsible for the civil service, and calls for a clear directive to senior public officers to avoid actions that could amount to political interference or the suppression of individual rights.
Professor Prasad says such actions will not be tolerated.
