'Elements' within Fiji coalition want elections chief out - critics

Critics allege Fiji's acting supervisor of elections head is on the chopping block due to her referring key Cabinet ministers to the anti-corruption watchdog for alleged breaches of the country's electoral laws.

Ana Mataiciwa, who assumed the role in January 2023, has forwarded complaints filed to the Fijian Elections Office against at least five key members of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's government.

They include; two deputy prime ministers Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica, the Attorney-General Siromi Turga (also justice minister), the women and children's minister Lynda Tabuya, and the multi-ethnic affairs and sugar minister Charan Jeet Singh.

Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he has received copies of complaints against the acting supervisor of elections Ana Mataiciwa.

RNZ Pacific understands the complaints are about political party assets disclosures and alleged vote buying during the 2022 elections.

A former prime minister and Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry said last Thursday that they had received communication that "moves are afoot to replace Mataiciwa".

The party claims the Electoral Commission Barbara Malimali has written to the Constitutional Offices Commission (COC) chair Rabuka to replace Mataiciwa and appoint a former electoral commission chairman.

RNZ Pacific has contacted Malimali for comment.

"We believe from what has transpired that there are elements within government seeking to remove Mataiciwa," Chaudhry said.

"Is it because she has referred complaints lodged against some senior Cabinet Ministers to FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption)?

"If so, this is outright interference with the due process particularly as the appointment had already been made according to the Prime Minister who is the chair of COC," he said via a statement.

On 3 April, at their quarterly meeting with Mataiciwa, opposition political parties had expressed confidence in her, according to the Labour Party, adding they had requested confirmation of her appointment without any further delay.

Chaudhry said the opposition political parties believe COC had already decided to appoint Mataiciwa, who has been acting in that position for more than a year.

This week, Rabuka told local media he had received copies of complaints against Mataiciwa that were "sent to other agencies".

The letter by the Electoral Commission raises "several decisions made by Mataiciwa", the prime minister said.

Mataiciwa confirmed that she had not received or seen any letter from the Electoral Commission.

The COC is expected to meet on Tuesday (today), according to the Fiji Sun newspaper.