A man who breached campaign restrictions during the 2018 General Election has been found guilty by the Nadi Magistrates Court.
Serevi Turaganicolo was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of Campaign Restrictions During Polling under the Electoral Act.
The court heard that Turaganicolo, using the Facebook account “Serevi Gonewai,” posted a political message on the forum Chat Fiji during the 48-hour campaign blackout period from November 12 to 14, 2018, in support of a political party.
Resident Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva noted that then-FICAC Digital Forensic Investigator Frank Tora confirmed the authenticity of the Facebook account and identified Turaganicolo as its user.
The Magistrate stressed that such offences “undermine public confidence in the electoral process and have the potential to influence voters during a time specifically designed to ensure fairness before polling.”
In sentencing, Magistrate Tikoisuva said the court considered Turaganicolo’s guilty plea and the fact that he was a first offender, which saved judicial time and resources.
He was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and fined $500, payable within 30 days.
Turaganicolo has 28 days to appeal the sentence.
