Fiji’s Constitutional Offices Commission met in Suva today and made 12 resolutions including appointing key officials and regularising appointments to Constitutional Offices.
Among the 12 resolutions, the Commission recommended Barbara Malimali as Chairperson and Dr. Atu Emberson-Bain as a member of the Electoral Commission. Their recommendations will be submitted to President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere for his endorsement.
With Malimali currently acting in the role since last month and Dr. Emberson-Bain’s potential endorsement, the Electoral Commission will have its full complement of seven members.
The Commission also resolved to regularise appointments to various Constitutional Offices, including Supervisor of Elections, Secretary-General to Parliament, Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Auditor-General, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, members of the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, members of the Electoral Commission, and members of the Public Service Commission.
To determine appropriate remuneration and allowances for these office holders as stated in sections 134(a) to (j) of the Constitution, the commission decided to appoint an independent committee. Members of the COC will nominate candidates for the independent committee, and the selection will be discussed at their next meeting.
The commission also resolved:
- not to change the current sitting allowances for the chair and members of the Electoral Commission.
- to submit and circulate their nominations for a vacant seat on the Public Service Commission. These nominations will be deliberated on at their next meeting.
- to submit and circulate their nominations for the vacancy on the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission after Nicole Daniels’ resignation, which will be considered at the next meeting
- on the membership of the tribunal to investigate allegations of misbehavior against the suspended Commissioner of Police Sitiveni Qiliho. The commission approved the Terms of Reference for the Tribunal.
- to appoint an independent committee to advise on the appropriate allowance for the Acting Supervisor of Elections. Members of the Commission have been invited to nominate candidates for the committee, and the deliberation will take place at the next Commission meeting.
- to start the recruitment process for a new Supervisor of Elections by advertising the vacancy. They also decided to appoint a three-member selection panel for the position. Members of the Commission have been invited to submit their nominations for the panel, and the deliberation will occur at the next Commission meeting.
- to begin the recruitment process for a new Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service by publishing the advertisement for the position. A three-member selection panel will be formed to conduct applicant interviews. Members of the Commission have been invited to submit their nominations for the panel, and the deliberation will take place at the next Commission meeting.
- to review and offer feedback on the draft Standard Operating Procedures prepared by the Secretary. The discussion on the matter will take place in a future Commission meeting.
Photo: Current Electoral Commissioners
