A man suspected of tearing off a billboard placement of the FijiFirst party campaign material in Tavua has been charged, becoming possibly the first person to be charged for an electoral offence in the lead-up to Fiji’s 2022 General Election.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged Eveni Cokiverata Koroituku with one (1) count of Non-Interference In Campaign under Section 111 (1) of the Electoral Act.
It is alleged that on or about Sunday, 13 November 2022 in Tavua Town, hindered the lawful campaign activity of the FijiFirst Party by tearing off a billboard placement of the FijiFirst Party campaign material.
Resident Magistrate Savou ordered that the accused be remanded in the custody of FICAC. He will appear before Magistrate Samuela Qica at the Tavua Magistrates Court at 9am on Wednesday, 23 November 2022.
FICAC did not disclose other particulars of the case nor further details of the accused only stating that the Fiji Police Force had received the initial complaint and conducted investigations before referring the matter to FICAC, under the Electoral Act, for further investigation and prosecution.
Under the same act, the Fiji Police Force and FICAC are mandated to investigate and prosecute electoral-related offences.
