By GINNAH MINI
THE Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has warned that electoral corruption poses a direct threat to democracy.
Speaking to Southern Region public officials during a workshop at the Gateway Hotel today, ICAC Acting Commissioner Don Sawong said electoral corruption was not limited to the misuse of funds but included any act involving the use of public office, public money or public systems to influence electoral outcomes.
“Elections must be decided by the people — not by money, influence or manipulation of state resources,” Mr Sawong said.
He said during the election period, ICAC would:
- Intensify monitoring of public spending;
- Scrutinise procurement and payment patterns;
- Fast-track complaints linked to election activities;
- Prioritise investigations involving the misuse of public resources; and
- Act swiftly when evidence of wrongdoing is identified.
“There will be no tolerance for abuse of office during elections,” Mr Sawong said.
He said where corruption prevention measures were ignored, ICAC’s Investigations Division had powers to demand and seize documents, access financial and banking records, trace money flows, compel witnesses, summon individuals and investigate any public agency.
Mr Sawong stressed that public money must not be used for election campaigns and that public office must not be used as a campaign tool.
He said electoral corruption was a direct attack on democracy and would test the integrity, courage and commitment of provincial administrators and leaders to uphold the law.
“ICAC’s message is clear: protect the system, protect public money and protect the integrity of elections,” Mr Sawong said.
He urged public officials to work within the law, warning that failure to do so would have consequences.
Mr Sawong also called on administrators and leaders on the frontline during elections to protect public funds from political misuse, enforce procurement and financial laws without exception, maintain proper documentation for all expenditure, refuse unlawful instructions regardless of their source, and report attempts to interfere with government systems.