OPPOSITION MP Faiyaz Koya has issued a strong warning in Parliament against political manipulation of the electoral reform process.
In his end-of-the-week statement, Mr Koya warned the integrity of the Electoral Commission was already being questioned due to recent public statements made by its chairperson, former chief justice Daniel Fatiaki.
“Just in recent times, we’ve had a commission appointed, and it’s worrying when the commission and its members start talking about things they shouldn’t,” he said.
“Their independence is now put at risk.”
Citing an incident around April 4, Mr Koya pointed to public exchanges between the Minister for Public Works and the chairperson in which the minister described Mr Fatiaki’s remarks on ethnic-based voting as “premature”.
“And he’s not wrong – whichever side of the fence he’s on, honourable Speaker.
“The chairperson is supposed to remain independent.
“The members of the commission are supposed to remain independent – without fear or favour.”
Mr Koya highlighted the importance of respecting the constitution and ensuring all citizens were treated equally.
“If we in this House raise points of order on offensive words, reasonable words, seditious words, what happens when someone picks up the constitution and calls it a ‘silly little book’?
“We cannot allow such things to happen.”
Mr Koya also stressed the need to rely on recommendations from multinational observer groups, referring to concerns raised during the 2022 elections on issues including race, media environment, government guidelines and women’s representation.
“Electoral law reform must be done properly. And the most important thing to remember is this: it is a constitutional right that we must protect at all times.
“The operative word is fair — that everybody is treated equally by this constitution.”
