Rosi Doviverata
Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem has warned Fijian Elections Office staff that things will get ‘nasty’ in the lead up to the General Election.
His comments come after his family was threatened in a fake Facebook account.
“I told my family to be prepared for such things. I have also told my staff and their families to be prepared. If someone can write to my brother and say, we are going to challenge Saneem’s career by writing about you people, I think in Fiji it’s going to get nasty,” he said.
Mr Saneem was speaking at a training session for Elections Office staff and media personnel in Suva on February 21, 2018.
Threats to family
Mr Saneem said those making threats to his family uploaded screenshots and alleged that his brother had made certain statements about him.
“My brother himself had to go to that page and told them to take it down. But the point is that they sent threatening remarks and threatening messages to my family and said, ‘If your brother wants to keep his career, he needs to stay in line,’” he said.
But Mr Saneem assured that on election day, fake Facebook and social media account holders cannot vote.
“So, those with fake profiles, wanting to make statements and even targeting journalists these days – don’t worry, bring your fake profile, but you will not be on the voters list,” he said.
Unlike previous elections, social media will play an important role in this year’s campaign and coverage.
The picture here shows (from left) Mohammed Saneem, Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director Ashwin Raj and Fiji Electoral Commission Chairman Suresh Chandra Photo: Fijian Elections Office
-Under Special Arrangement with the Fiji Sun.
