Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa said she “received instructions from higher authorities in relation to electoral processes and complaint referrals” while she was Manager Legal at the Fijian Elections Office.
This is stated in the Commission of Inquiry report released this week.
The report does not mention who were the “higher authorities”
She has been with the FEO since its establishment in 2014 and initially served as Compliance Coordinator, then Manager Legal, and was appointed Acting Supervisor of Elections on 27 January 2023.
“Ms. Mataiciwa described a culture of fear and intimidation embedded within the FEO under the previous regime,” the CoI report quotes Ms Mataiciwa as testifying.
“She testified to having received instructions from higher authorities in relation to electoral processes and complaint referrals, including cases being diverted to the Fiji Police Force or FICAC based on political influence.”
“Upon her appointment as Acting SoE, she undertook a review of administrative and electoral processes.”
“Feedback from internal and external stakeholders indicated the FEO was perceived as politically compromised and lacking independence.”
