The Fijian Elections Office [“FEO”] received a complaint from a concerned member of the public on 20 October 2023 against Ro Teimumu Kepa on her appointment to a public office whilst being a member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party [SODELPA].
The Acting Registrar of Political Parties Ms. Ana Mataiciwa stated that the FEO conducted its own verification with the relevant authorities to confirm the appointment and also obtained confirmation from SODELPA on the membership status of Ro Teimumu Kepa.
“On 23 October 2023, we wrote to Ro Teimumu Kepa requesting her response on the complaint. We received a response from her on 26 October 2023 attaching her resignation letters addressed to the Hon. Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/ Hon. Minister for Finance, dated 23 October 2023, for resignation from the Airports Fiji Limited Board and Tertiary Scholarships and Loan Services Board respectively.”
“We have done an independent analysis of the complaint, the facts, response, law and precedents and we find that Ro Teimumu Kepa has adhered to the requirements of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. Therefore, the matter is resolved and the complaint against Ro Teimumu Kepa is dismissed,” said Ms. Mataiciwa.
Ms. Mataiciwa further reiterated that the FEO’s role is to ensure that all relevant stakeholders uphold and adhere to the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 [Act].
“We would like to emphasise that Public Office holders, according to section 14(1) of the Act, are not:
- eligible to be an applicant or a member of a registered political party;
- eligible to hold office in a registered political party;
- to engage in political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of that person’s office in an election; or
- publicly indicate support for or opposition to any proposed political party or a registered political party or candidate in an election.”
“If anyone chooses to breach the Act, despite being warned, we will refer them to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption [FICAC] for investigation. Therefore, any person taking up public office must ensure that they comply with section 14(1) of the Act,” Ms. Mataiciwa elaborated.
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