Leaders of opposition political parties are calling for the removal of Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.
This follows this week’s Court of Disputed Returns decision that Mr Saneem acted “wrongfully and unlawfully” in removing Opposition MP and Social Democratic Liberal Party member Niko Nawaikula’s name from the National Register of Voters.
Mr Nawaikula lost his Parliamentary seat as a result, before being returned to Parliament after the court decision.
The court, made up of Chief Justice Kamal Kumar and Justice Anjila Wati, also described Mr Saneem’s actions as “disproportionate”.
The leaders of the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA), National Federation Party, Fiji Labour Party, Unity Fiji Party and Freedom Alliance Party said in a joint statement yesterday that the judgment “is yet another court decision, among several others, that has gone against the SOE”.
“It brings disrepute to the high office of the supervisor and it shows that Mr Saneem is not competent enough to hold such an important constitutional office.”
The leaders claimed Mr Saneem “has made several controversial decisions which call to question his maturity, independence, and impartiality in dealings with Opposition political parties and their members”.
The party leaders noted that the Multinational Observer Group (MOG) 2018 elections report had specifically noted there was a “lack of trust in some quarters” in the Fijian Elections Office.
“Earlier that year, the visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had questioned whether Fiji’s constitutional offices including the Fijian Elections Office were “truly autonomous”.
“Free and fair elections are fundamental to our democracy.”
In response, Mr Saneem said he had noted the content of the joint press statement.
“And I make no comments on it,” he said.
“However, I find that it contains a serious misrepresentation of facts and to that end, I suggest that you verify the allegations before publishing them.
“As SOE, I oversaw the conduct of the 2014 and 2018 General Elections where the International Observers commended my office.
“You can refer to the reports for your research.”
He did not respond to requests for a response to the judgment on Mr Nawaikula’s case.
