The Fijian Elections Office has lodged a complaint to His Excellency the President against Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam, for failing to declare a conflict of interest he may have with the former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem.

The FEO has stated that it is obvious from this conflict of interest that FEO’s complaint against Saneem could be compromised and this is evident when comparing the timeframe of investigations of complaints lodged by Saneem against political parties and its candidates in the previous years to the complaints lodged against Saneem.

The FEO says it no longer has confidence in the FICAC Commissioner in carrying out his duties and making decisions impartially which has led to FEO lodging an additional complaint against Saneem and the former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, with the Fiji Police Force on allegations of bribery, receiving a corrupting benefit and abuse of office.

They say these relate to Saneem’s remuneration being reviewed and approved after one and a half years had lapsed in his new contract.

The amendments to his contract included salary increment which included back dating it to preceding one and a half years, government agreeing to pay his tax due on the back pay and payment of election readiness and post election bonus.

The FEO has also stated that the amendment also included Saneem’s family relocation overseas and costs associated with travel and accommodation paid by the FEO for 3 months prior to elections.

These benefits given to Saneem through remunerations and allowances were paid out to him during the campaign period of the 2022 General Election.

The FEO has referred this matter to the Fiji Police Force for their further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Police Force has confirmed that they have received a formal complaint lodged by the Acting Supervisor of Elections against former Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum in relation to various allegations of abuse of office.

Chief of Intelligence and Investigations Acting ACP Sakeo Raikaci says the report was lodged at the Totogo Police Station and has been referred to the Criminal Investigations Department for investigations.