Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa says the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) has proposed that any political donation exceeding the current $10,000 limit be declared within ten days to promote transparency and accountability.
Speaking before the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights yesterday during submissions on the 2022 General Elections Joint Report, Ms Mataiciwa said the proposal aligns with international best practices and feedback from stakeholders.
The proposal was made to the Fiji Electoral Law Reform Review Team.
“At the moment, the limit is $10,000, and donors must be Fijian citizens,” she said.
“What we have proposed is that any donation exceeding that amount must be disclosed within ten days of being made. This is based on international best practices and aims to strengthen transparency.”
Ms Mataiciwa said the FEO had reviewed recommendations from political parties and civil society groups as part of its post-election review.
“We considered what works in other jurisdictions and adapted it to Fiji’s context.”
“Our goal is to ensure public trust through timely disclosure and greater openness around campaign funding.”
Committee member Jone Usamate supported tighter oversight of donations, warning against the risk of big money influencing politics.
“We don’t want what happens in the United States of America, where big corporates pour so much campaign money that it influences the way things go,” MR Usamate said.
“We must make sure that whoever has the most money doesn’t determine what happens in our elections.”
