ABUSE OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES: Fijileaks ex-Fiji Sun photographer spotted this Government vehicle parked opposite FijiFirst headquarters in Brown St, Suva. The passenger went into the party's office with a bundle of documents
Parmesh Chand Fiji’s Public Service Commission says civil servants may be members of a political party, attend, vote and speak at only privately held meetings and free to vote for any party of their choosing. However, Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Parmesh Chand says they must ensure they are apolitical in the course of doing their work to maintain the political neutrality and impartiality of the civil service. He reminds civil servants they have a duty to the public and will be required to continue carrying out these duties irrespective of the outcome of the election. “All civil servants and public officers, regardless of the outcome of the elections, must ensure that they will continue to work for the benefit of the everyday members of the public that they are called to serve without political interest impeding the process.” Chand, reiterated civil servants must be apolitical leading up to the September 17 elections, on election day and the immediate post-election period. They are not allowed to indulge in active political activities and must refrain from making public comments saying it is a disciplinary offence. They are also not allowed to publicly further the activities or aspirations of a political party, or an election candidate. The PSC further says that civil servants who consider themselves as prospective candidates for election should not issue any statement, nor in any way publicly announce themselves as candidates or prospective candidates before informing the PSC or Permanent Secretary of their intention. Civil servants who do so do must immediately tender their resignation or retirement from the service, Chand said. The PSC also prohibits the use public funds to meet the expenses of any political activity including claims for mileage or subsistence allowance. And PSC also bans the display and distribution of political pamphlets and posters in government offices, buildings and quarters. “These guidelines safeguard the interests of the Fijian people,” Chand said. Source: Fijilive, 4 August 2014
Fiji's National Federation Party has questioned the motives of two senior government officials over political-related comments they made in the media recently. One of the two government officials did not mention the name of the party, but dismissed one of their policies, their plans to reduce VAT, saying that whether it was increased or decreased it would make no difference. The other government official said he wanted to clear what he called “misleading statements about the economy”. NFP General Secretary Kamal Iyer said as senior public servants they should know their role is only to implement Government policies. "Their role is to implement Government policies and this includes any Government that comes into power after the September 17 general elections," Iyer said. He said when public servants comment on policies proposed by political parties, they are in effect compromising the neutrality and independence of their positions as well as the institutions they serve. "A ordinary civil servant is disallowed from even to be seen at political party meetings or gatherings as it is construed as showing support towards a political party," Iyer said. "The NFP once again calls upon officers in all independent state institutions to remain apolitical at all times." The party says that by indulging in political campaign, senior public servants are showing their political bias and tarnishes their credibility and suitability to hold similar senior positions following a change of government and restoration of democracy after the elections. Source: Fijilive, 4 August 2014
