FORMER attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of attempting to interfere with the constitutional independence and work of the Electoral Commission.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the Prime Minister’s instruction for the commission to focus on preparations for the proposed referendum while suspending attention on the general election was deeply concerning.
He said the Electoral Commission had its own constitutional mandate and could not simply be directed by the Prime Minister.
“In conveying to the Electoral Commission, chaired by the Honourable Judge of the High Court of Fiji, His Lordship Justice Usaia Ratuvili that it should currently focus only on the preparation for the referendum, as opposed to the national elections, the Prime Minister is seeking to effectively interfere with the decisions, work plan and powers of the independent Electoral Commission,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He also questioned whether the Prime Minister could effectively override laws governing the election campaign period.
“The Prime Minister is also saying that the laws pertaining to the campaign period is subservient to what he wants.”
He said voters must be given access to voter education and the opportunity to make political choices freely and without interference.
“To exercise this freedom, voters must be assured that all due constitutional processes have been adhered to and that they have access to voter education, a constitutional responsibility of the Electoral Commission.”
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has maintained that he is strictly adhering to the country’s electoral and referendum laws.
“I have not been ill-advised,” he said.
“We are very clear on the legal processes and the necessary steps we must take.”
