Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the Commission of Inquiry that Barbara Malimali left the position of Chairperson of the Electoral Commission “without a handover report or formal meeting with the appointing authority”, and also “without returning all government assets in her possession, specifically a laptop and a mobile phone.”
The appointing authority is the Constitutional Officers Commission that is chaired by the Prime Minister.
This is revealed in the Commission of Inquiry report released yesterday by Government.
“Hon. Rabuka stated that he was aware of Ms. Malimali’s appointment by the President on 4 September 2024 as Commissioner of FICAC, with the appointment taking effect from 12 am on 5 September 2024,” states the CoI report.
“He confirmed that Ms. Malimali had submitted her resignation as Chairperson of the ECF by letter to the Secretary of the CoC on 3 September 2024, a day prior to her appointment taking effect.”
“He acknowledged, however, that there was no formal communication from Ms. Malimali directly to the CoC or to him as Chairperson regarding her resignation.”
Mr Rabuka told the CoI he learned of her resignation only after being approached by the press while in Lautoka and subsequently confirmed the matter with the CoC Secretariat.
Mr Rabuka gave evidence that Ms. Malimali left the ECF without a handover report or formal meeting with the appointing authority, and without returning all government assets in her possession, specifically a laptop and a mobile phone.
“These issues were raised with him by the SoE approximately two weeks after the resignation.”
“He agreed that, as a matter of courtesy and procedural propriety, a resigning Chairperson of a constitutional body should notify the appointing authority and participate in handover arrangements.”
“He also stated that although not formally set out, there should have been standard operating procedures to that effect.”
