9 Nov 2016

Fiji official accused of inappropriate tweets

3:20 pm on 9 November 2016

Fiji's elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem has been accused of using social media in a bullying and partisan way and an opposition party says he is unfit to conduct elections.

Fiji's supervisor of elections Mohammed Saneem, left, and MIDA head Ashwin Raj.

Fiji's elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem (left) has been accused of posting social media messages that compromise the neutrality of his position. Photo: RNZ

The president of the National Federation Party, Tupou Draunidalo, said Mr Saneem has been sending inappropriate tweets vilifying and questioning certain media personnel.

At least one of the tweets has now been removed.

The Fiji elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem has been accused of using social media to bully media. Screenshots from Twitter Facebook and Viber.

The Fiji elections supervisor Mohammed Saneem has been accused of using social media to bully media. Screenshots from Twitter Facebook and Viber. Photo: RNZ

She said the messages compromise his position which is supposed to be neutral, non-partisan and dignified.

Ms Draunidalo said Mr Saneem has weighed in on media coverage surrounding complaints against the CEO of Fiji Broadcasting Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

She said she will take it up with the Constitutional Offices Commission which needs to look at Mr Saneem's appointment, described by the NFP as questionable in the first place and the Electoral Commission also needs to deal with his behaviour.

Mr Saneem was appointed in 2014 in which Fiji held its first election since the coup of 2006.