The Electoral (Amendment) Bill is just intimidation and a “power trip” by the Attorney-General to accommodate his “lackey” the Supervisor of Elections, Opposition Leader Ratu Naiqama told Parliament yesterday. Speaking during a debate in Parliament on the Bill, Ratu Naiqama said such powers do not exist anywhere in the world.
“This shows the desperation of the regime to stay in power,” Ratu Naiqama said.
“It will use all tools at its disposal, including unethical and dictatorial laws that are being fast-tracked under Standing Order 51 to satisfy the ego of the A-G and SOE.”
Ratu Naiqama said the Bill was aimed to intimidate candidates, donors and political parties who had the right to participate in the electoral process.
“Yet again, the FijiFirst party is showing its dictatorial policies where it is abusing Parliamentary processes under Standing Order 51,” he said.
Ratu Naiqama said Standing Order 51 was intended for emergencies, but the Government was riding roughshod over individuals’ human rights to privacy and private communications.
He said it could lead to an unjust and unfair general election.
He said it was evident the Government wanted to win the general elections “through rig and by hook or by crook”.
Government MP and Agriculture Minister Mahendra Reddy said the Bill did not intimidate anyone or political parties.
“The amendment is not about giving excessive powers to the SOE,” he said.
“The contribution from the other side demonstrates to me that they don’t understand the role of Government in Parliament.”
According to the A-G Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Clause 3 of the Bill amends section 6 of the Act to provide for the powers of the Supervisor of Elections (‘SOE’) necessary to carry out his or her functions under the Act, including the power to direct a person, by notice in writing, to furnish any relevant information or document.
He said without this specific power, the SOE is unable to make enquiries to obtain information necessary and powers are also extremely important to allow the SOE to conduct enquiries into allegations of breaches of campaign provisions.
