Fiji’s anti-corruption agency on Tuesday warned citizens against a suspected “organized movement” behind fake emails inciting racial violence following the arrest of a suspect on the eve of the country’s general election.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) said that a suspect had been arrested for sending fake emails alleging that churches and temples would be the target of terrorist attacks from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11.
“However, it is suspected that there is an organized movement behind this scam and further investigations are underway,” the agency said.
FICAC warned the public to be vigilant of “organized criminal activities attempting to create instability during the election time,” although it did not elaborate on the details of the detained suspect.
“We request the public to report such criminal activities to FICAC immediately,” it added.
Ahead of Elections
Fiji, a Pacific island nation pivotal to the region’s response to strategic competition between China and the United States, imposed a strict campaign and media blackout ahead of the polls on Monday.The blackout will be in effect until the polls close on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem warned that political parties would be considered in violation of the media blackout if their campaign materials were found on car windshields or store windows.
Media organizations are not allowed to publish, print, or broadcast campaign advertisements, debates, opinions, or interviews about the election until the blackout ends.
“People very quickly are able to send us pictures of breaches on Facebook and social media. Some have even gone to the extent of employing fake accounts to send us some breaches,” Saneem said.
Democratic Process
A Pacific trade and transport hub with a population of 900,000, including a sizeable Indian ethnic group, Fiji had a history of military coups until the constitution was changed in 2013 to remove a race-based electoral system.Its military chief, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, told officers in a public speech this month to “honor the democratic process by respecting the outcome of the voting,” easing fears the closely contested national election could lead to another coup.
Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, who came to power in a 2006 coup, won democratic elections in 2014 and 2018. He is seeking another term in office.Bainimarama has a high international profile for climate change advocacy and has been chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum as it sought this year to manage rising security tensions between the United States and China.
He will face off against rival Sitiveni Rabuka, a former coup leader and prime minister, whose People’s Alliance Party has formed a coalition with Fiji’s oldest political party, the National Federation Party.
Fiji hosted a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the region in February, where Washington committed more diplomatic and security resources as a counter to China’s drive for greater influence.
The Pacific island nation strengthened its security ties with Australia, its biggest aid donor during the pandemic, after Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China in April.