STATEMENT
[60/6/15]
Ro Teimumu Kepa today welcomed the outcome on Hon Leawere’s case, but was perplexed about the need for it to have occurred in the first place. She asked what was the point of it?
Ro Teimumu Kepa today welcomed the outcome on Hon Leawere’s case, but was perplexed about the
need for it to have occurred in the first place. She asked what was the point of it? But I thank God for his guiding hand and our Defense team, Vinaka Vakalevu.
I am also happy for Hon Leawere and his family and glad that the stressful time they have had to endure during this case has come to an end and I look forward to his contribution in the many debates that lay ahead.
Ro Teimumu said that now that the case has been dispensed with, and comment on it possible, I would like to know what was the point of it? After all the outcome had it gone against us, would not have resulted in a ‘bi-election’ that Fiji First might have felt would increase their seat numbers in the house, the seat would have remained with SODELPA and gone to the next in line in our team.
A lot of time, money and resources were spent on this matter, and it is my view that while any challenge to any of our members is a matter of concern to us, this case raises more questions than it provides answers.
Ro Teimumu said she would make a full statement once she has had the opportunity to read the full judgment and for now she and her party members were looking forward to meeting the people of Nadroga Navosa on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of their 2nd schedule of Constituency meetings and welcomed all who could attend.
Authorized By
Ro Teimumu Kepa
[60/6/15]
Ro Teimumu Kepa today welcomed the outcome on Hon Leawere’s case, but was perplexed about the need for it to have occurred in the first place. She asked what was the point of it?
Ro Teimumu Kepa today welcomed the outcome on Hon Leawere’s case, but was perplexed about the
need for it to have occurred in the first place. She asked what was the point of it? But I thank God for his guiding hand and our Defense team, Vinaka Vakalevu.
I am also happy for Hon Leawere and his family and glad that the stressful time they have had to endure during this case has come to an end and I look forward to his contribution in the many debates that lay ahead.
Ro Teimumu said that now that the case has been dispensed with, and comment on it possible, I would like to know what was the point of it? After all the outcome had it gone against us, would not have resulted in a ‘bi-election’ that Fiji First might have felt would increase their seat numbers in the house, the seat would have remained with SODELPA and gone to the next in line in our team.
A lot of time, money and resources were spent on this matter, and it is my view that while any challenge to any of our members is a matter of concern to us, this case raises more questions than it provides answers.
Ro Teimumu said she would make a full statement once she has had the opportunity to read the full judgment and for now she and her party members were looking forward to meeting the people of Nadroga Navosa on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of their 2nd schedule of Constituency meetings and welcomed all who could attend.
Authorized By
Ro Teimumu Kepa
Judge agrees with Fijileaks above contention:
"While delivering his judgment this evening, Judge Justice David Alfred stated that the Commission did not err in law while awarding the seat to Leawere and that Leawere was not wrong when he had advised the Commission that he was available to take up the vacant seat as he had already resigned from his post as Acting General Secretary of the Fijian Teachers Association."
Read more at: http://fijilive.com/news/2015/06/leawere-retains-seat-in-parliament/61212.Fijilive
The Great Schemer: Khaiyum already planning to outdo Judgment:
The Attorney General says while they are yet to receive a copy of the written ruling however from the brief provided by counsel, it appears that the court ruling allows losing candidates to return to or be appointed to positions of public office even though they might be called upon later to join Parliament if a seat becomes vacant.
He adds this case sets an unfortunate precedent.
The Attorney General also says that the ruling does indeed have the potential of compromising the political neutrality of public offices, and given that the ruling of the High Court is final, it may be appropriate for the relevant laws to be clarified through appropriate legislative amendment.
Defence Counsel and chairman of Electoral Commission, Chen Bunn Young says this case is not about who is going to win, as the judge spent a lot of time thinking it through.
Young says this gives constitutional lawyers substance and some reference point. Source: Fijivillage News
He adds this case sets an unfortunate precedent.
The Attorney General also says that the ruling does indeed have the potential of compromising the political neutrality of public offices, and given that the ruling of the High Court is final, it may be appropriate for the relevant laws to be clarified through appropriate legislative amendment.
Defence Counsel and chairman of Electoral Commission, Chen Bunn Young says this case is not about who is going to win, as the judge spent a lot of time thinking it through.
Young says this gives constitutional lawyers substance and some reference point. Source: Fijivillage News
DOES THIS MAN UNDERSTAND MEANING OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
AG responds to petition dismissal
The Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the ruling of the Court of Disputed Returns yesterday which dismissed his petition against the Electoral Commission opens the door for mixing politics and public offices – two realms which must always remain separate.
He adds that by law, a candidate for Parliament must step down from any public office he or she holds in order to avoid conflict of interest.
The need to avoid this conflict of interest and the demarcation between politics and public office is especially important in our electoral system given that we no longer have by-elections in the event of a vacancy.
The AG says “This case sets an unfortunate precedent.
For example, the political party with majority seats in Parliament and forming Government could simply now put all their unsuccessful candidates in public offices, and then also have the benefit of having the same candidates declared as Members of Parliament if there is a vacancy in Parliament."
The AG stated that the ruling does indeed have the potential of compromising the political neutrality of public offices, and given that the ruling of the High Court is final, it may be appropriate for the relevant laws to be clarified through appropriate legislative amendment. Source: FBC News
The Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the ruling of the Court of Disputed Returns yesterday which dismissed his petition against the Electoral Commission opens the door for mixing politics and public offices – two realms which must always remain separate.
He adds that by law, a candidate for Parliament must step down from any public office he or she holds in order to avoid conflict of interest.
The need to avoid this conflict of interest and the demarcation between politics and public office is especially important in our electoral system given that we no longer have by-elections in the event of a vacancy.
The AG says “This case sets an unfortunate precedent.
For example, the political party with majority seats in Parliament and forming Government could simply now put all their unsuccessful candidates in public offices, and then also have the benefit of having the same candidates declared as Members of Parliament if there is a vacancy in Parliament."
The AG stated that the ruling does indeed have the potential of compromising the political neutrality of public offices, and given that the ruling of the High Court is final, it may be appropriate for the relevant laws to be clarified through appropriate legislative amendment. Source: FBC News
