Members of the Electoral Commission (EC) were paid $51,840 in sitting allowances at $500 per day, states the commission’s 2021 annual report now available on its website.
The sitting allowances were paid out to seven Electoral Commissioners between January 2021 to December 2021.
“The chairperson and EC members are employed on a part-time basis,” states the annual report.
“They are required to meet (either face-to-face, virtual or via electronic mediums) to discuss issues pertaining to their responsibilities as set out in Section 75 of the Constitution.
“They are allowed a sitting allowance of $F500 per day when a meeting is held.
“This is inclusive of meetings with Fiji’s political parties, NGOs, civil society organisations, media, Fiji Police Force and other important stakeholders.”
According to the annual report, the commissioners were also entitled to meal allowances of $50 per day which were not paid directly to them.
“Rather, it was agreed that the EC Secretariat will arrange for their meals accordingly and within the allocated budget.”
The Electoral Commissioners listed in the annual report are Suresh Chandra (chairman), Kavita Raniga, Margot Jenkins, Merewalesi Roden, Simione Naiduki, Selina Wah and Jawahar Lal.
