The Electoral Commission has revealed it was forced to communicate through a private Viber group and hold meetings outside the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) during a period without a substantive chairperson, describing the arrangement as unsustainable.
The disclosure is contained in the Commission’s response to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence report tabled in Parliament on Friday.
The Commission said the vacancy arose after former chairperson Barbara Malimali resigned in September 2024 to take up the role of FICAC Commissioner. The position remained vacant until Justice Usaia Ratuvili assumed office in 2025.
While commissioners elected Nalini Singh to chair meetings in accordance with the Electoral Act, the Commission said operational challenges persisted.
“For several months, Commission meetings were held in private locations outside the FEO premises and without administrative support. Commissioners communicated via a private Viber group. This was clearly not a sustainable or desirable arrangement for an institution that must maintain visible public confidence.”
The Commission said the absence of a substantive chairperson, combined with budget constraints, staffing shortages and the seizure of Commission records by FICAC, created a difficult operating environment.
It also confirmed that the leadership vacancy contributed to delays in determining the FijiFirst appeal, which remained unresolved at the end of 2024.
The Commission said the combination of the vacant chairmanship, reduced public visibility, the unresolved high-profile appeal and the continued retention of Commission records by FICAC diminished public confidence during the period.
However, it said the appointment of Justice Ratuvili had restored stability.
“The Commission is satisfied that the appointment of a substantive Chairperson in 2025 comes with the stability and structure that the public and the institution require, and we regard the current period as one of renewed institutional consolidation ahead of the 2026/2027 General Election.”
