A representative of a Political Party has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and produced at the Ba Magistrates Court on Friday, 9 December 2022.
Amjad Ali was charged with one (1) count of Prohibition on Vote Buying contrary to section 114 (1) of the Electoral Act and Breach of Campaign Rules contrary to section 116 (3) (h) of the Electoral Act.
It is alleged that on or about 01 December 2022 in the Western Division, Ali engaged in a campaign activity by soliciting votes from the Nadi Masjid zakat recipients whilst promising increase in Zakat assistance for the purpose of gaining or influencing votes in the 2022 General Election.
It is further alleged that on or about 01 December 2022 in the Western Division, Ali offered direct inducement namely increase in zakat assistance to Nadi Masjid zakat recipients to vote for one SITIVENI RABUKA in the 2022 General Elections.
FICAC State Counsel Ms Josann Pene informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrates Qica granted a non-cash bail of $800 and ordered Ali not to re-offend whilst on bail.
Amjad Ali was also ordered not to interfere with state witnesses, not to change his residential address without first informing the Court and to surrender all travel documents to the Court.
A stop departure order has been issued against Amjad Ali.
Ali is to report to the Nadi Police Station once a month on a Friday between 6am to 6pm.
The matter has been adjourned to 13 January 2023 at the Nadi Magistrates Court.
The Fijian Elections Office received the initial complaint and referred the matter to FICAC under the Electoral Act to conduct investigations and prosecution.