Page 10 - IB MAR 2019

Political Brief - FIJI

Mixed reception for election observer report

authorities must work actively to address, in partnership with
Fiji’s democratic institutions, political parties, civil society and
citizens.”
The report makes 21 recommendations, including the in-
troduction of a code of conduct or caretaker conventions to
apply during the period between the issuance of the election
writ and when voters go to the polls. This is a response to
widely-reported concerns that government Ministers were still
dispensing government grants and funds after the writ was
issued and during the campaign period.
It also recommended: party names be added to the ballot
papers against candidate names; that electoral offences are
reviewed to ensure penalties are proportionate and generally
civil in nature, rather than criminal; that the standing and ca-
pacity of the Electoral Commission is strengthened; that political
parties be required to report on campaign expenditure follow-
ing the election and that limits to this spending be considered;
review of the Media Act, especially with respect to penalties;
and that local community organisations have a bigger role in
voter education and election monitoring.
Fijians cast their vote in 2014. Political parties have until 31 st March, 2018 to submit
their accounts. Photo: File. The government has welcomed the report, saying the MOG
has recognised the introduction of new practices which align
INTERNATIONAL election observers were a familiar sight dur- Fiji with international standards.
ing Fiji’s November 2018 election in polling booths on election However Fiji’s Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka labelled
day and before the media’s cameras in the leadup to the vote. the report as “superficial, shallow and generic,” in an interview
Now the Multinational Observer Group’s (MOG) final report with Radio New Zealand and says he looks forward to debat-
is out, but it has had a mixed reception. ing it in parliament. He claims many of the recommendations
The MOG says on the whole the election was well adminis- of a similar report after the 2014 election were not acted on.
tered, credible and peaceful, but suggests there is still distrust Similarly, National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad is
of the process amongst the electorate: “The MOG considers sceptical, saying he doesn’t believe the government will imple-
that this remains an ongoing challenge that Fiji’s electoral ment the MOG recommendations.

Kubuabola to lead MSG team to Solomons elections crucial.
FORMER Fiji Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola will lead Jennifer Poole will put her experience as a civil society and
the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s election observer team to the NGO leader to use as PS at the Ministry of Women, Children and
Solomon Islands in April. Other members of the team are Vanu- Poverty Alleviation. She has worked with Care Australia and
atu’s Electoral Commission Chairman Martin Tete, former Papua established Medical Services Pacific in Fiji.
New Guinea diplomat Leonard Louma, and New Caledonia FLNKS And former national soccer rep, Maritino Nemani has been
Movement representative, Rodrique Tiavouane. The Election Ob- appointed PS for Youth and Sports. He was the Chief Human
servation Programme has been operational since 2014 as part of Resource Officer and Governance Adviser for the Government
the MSG’s work and Security Affairs Programme. MSG Director of Nauru.
General, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli said steady improvements Other locals as Permanent Secretaries are Pene Baleinabuli
have been made to regional electoral governance, transparency (Fisheries), Susan Kiran (Civil Service), Osea Cawaru (Employ-
and accountability, but there is still room for improvement. ment & Industrial Relations), David Kolitagane (Agriculture),
Shaheen Ali (Industry & Trade), Jitendra Singh (Public Enter-
Locals outnumber expatriates in PS positions prise), Meleti Bainimarama (Rural Development) and Yogesh
FIVE Fijians have been appointed to senior civil service positions. Karan (PM’s Office).
A former chief executive of the National Fire Authority, Manasa There remains a limited list of expatriates who are permanent
Lesuma, an engineer by profession, took charge as Permanent secretaries in Fiji. Australian Dimity Fifer will take up the posi-
Secretary at the Ministry of Defence and National Security. An- tion of Permanent Secretary for the Local Government soon. She
other career civil engineer, Taitusi Vakadravuyaca is the PS for will join Bernadette Welch (Health), Alison Burchell (Educa-
Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, Disaster Management and tion), Craig Strong (Fisheries), Joshua Wycliffe (Waterways &
Meteorological Services. He was acting CEO of the Water Authority Environment), and Sanjeeva Parera (Housing & Community
of Fiji at the time of his appointment. Development).
Moving from the United Nations Development Programme into The PSC, within its powers under the 2013 Constitution,
the Fijian civil service will be Josefa Caniogo as PS for Ministry of appoints, removes and institutes disciplinary action against
Lands and Mineral Resources. With Fiji currently facing a boom permanent secretaries.
in the mining sector with Tuvatu coming online soon,Caniogo’s Any appointment and removal must be done after consultation
knowledge in the development of mineral programmes will be with the Prime Minister.

10 Islands Business, March 2019