[File Photo]

The People’s Alliance has removed the Facebook post written by its provisional candidate Liliana Warid following inquiries by the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem.

The post was potentially in breach of section 116 of the Electoral Act.

Warid posted a controversial statement to the People’s Alliance Facebook page describing Indo-Fijians as “visitors” who “were not going back anytime soon”.

Warid in the same statement claimed that the indigenous Fijians are being marginalized.

She also admitted on her personal Facebook page on Thursday that her controversial statement was first rejected by a local newspaper, The Fiji Times, for its racial overtones.

The Supervisor of Elections in his statement today says a party cannot publish inflammatory statements on its page for a few days followed by another statement from its leader rebutting it.

He adds that there is no place for racial or religious vilification in any campaign and that political parties must take responsibility for such actions and ensure appropriate guidelines are in place for their social media handlers.

The Supervisor of Elections adds that parties should also be forthwith in disciplinary action in a transparent manner.

Saneem also reiterated that while it is unfortunate that some old ‘inciteful’ language is being introduced in the campaign, media organizations, particularly the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation and Fijivillage are highlighting such conduct to assist authorities.

The FEO will evaluate the contents of the article and decide whether it needs to be referred to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The Elections Office is calling on political parties to exercise due diligence during the campaign.