Anti-Corruption Commission |13 May 2016

Invitation out for candidates

Invitations are out for people to apply for the positions of chairman, vice-chairman and commissioners of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Those applying should be qualified under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2016 and they have until May 23 to send in their application forms and curriculum vitae to the Constitutional Appointments Authority, La Ciotat Building, Mont Fleuri.

To qualify as candidates, applicants must meet the requirements set out in Sections 6 (3), 6 (4) and 7 of the Act and they are as follows:

-          Section 6 (3). A person who has held or is qualified to hold the post of a Judge of Supreme Court or Justice of Appeal shall be qualified for appointment as Chairperson.

-          Section 6 (4). A person to be appointed as Vice-Chairperson or a Commissioner shall have wide experience and knowledge in any one or more of the following fields of services (a) anti-corruption; (b) accounting; (c) administration; (d) law enforcement; (e) investigation; (f) forensic services.

-          Section 7 (1). A person having the qualification specified under section 6(4) is eligible to be appointed as the Vice-Chairperson or a Commissioner if the person (a) is a citizen of, and resides permanently in, the Republic; (b) is of proven integrity; and (c) has distinguished record of public service, or service in a profession or vocation.

-          Section 7 (2). A person shall not be appointed as the Vice-Chairman or a Commissioner if the person - (a) holds office in, or is an employee of, a political party; (b) has been convicted and served a sentence of imprisonment for term of six months or more for an offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, or any other offence under this Act or any other written law. 

The commission will comprise five members and have its own structure, budget, and taskforce which will conduct investigations.

The first Anti-Corruption Commission being proposed in Seychelles will be tasked with receiving complaints and also investigating, detecting and preventing practices linked to corruption in both the public and private sector.

On March 22, 2016, the National Assembly voted in favour of the proposed creation of the Anti-Corruption Commission as part of the government’s decision to step up the fight against graft.

Finance, Trade and The Blue Economy Minister Jean-Paul Adam then sought the approval of the parliament for a budget of over US $100,000 to finance the setting up of the body.

In a recent interview, Minister Adam said: "The creation of the Anti-Corruption Commission will cater for what is lacking in terms of investigation. It responds to a request of the Seychellois people.”

He added that "it is important to have the necessary tools in place... to either confirm the charges or shed light on the facts."