The Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, is making his way in a few days time across to the other side of his Mulinu’u Office to sit as the new Deputy President of the Lands and Titles Court.
He has already handed in his resignation as head of the Office of the Electoral Commission to take up his new role as the second highest judge in the Lands and Titles Court.
Newsline Samoa is privileged with the opportunity to ask the departing Electoral Commissioner about his resignation, career highlights in the electoral system and looking ahead to his Judicial calling.
NEWSLINE Samoa : Is it time to move. Why?
FAIMALOMATUMUA : It is the right time to step aside and let another person take the lead and perhaps drive OEC to a new direction should he or she sees the need to do so.
NEWSLINE Samoa : Did the political fall out from the general elections made you lose interest in the job. Enough to want to walk away?
FAIMALOMATUMUA : Not at all. When I got my contract renewed for five years, in 2019, I told some of our management team that I cannot see myself in this position pass that five-year term, after the 2021 general elections. We have done everything that we planned for as a team since 2016 going into 2021. Now that the general election and the by elections are done, there is basically nothing more for me to aspire for as the Electoral Commissioner. That’s why I said it is the right time for me to step aside and let someone else take the lead. I could’ve just continued to turn up, get paid and ride odd the remaining years of my contract. But I’m not wired like that. It’s not fair on me and not fair on the position of Electoral Commissioner.
NEWSLINE Samoa : What lasting memories do you take away as Commissioner.
FAIMALOMATUMUA : The opportunities that the position of Electoral Commissioner has given me to grow not only as a person but as a leader.
✅ Also seeing the staff getting opportunities to grow in self-belief. Because when I first got there, words such as “find a way to get rid of them”, “they’re not qualified” and “they’re retards” were often thrown at them.
But as leaders, you are tasked to build people. They are the most important resource in any organisation.
I will never forget the reaction of some of the staff when they were given the opportunity to travel overseas on trainings and meetings for the very first time.
I will never forget how proud I feel when a staff member comes up to me and said; “Matt I’m going back to school, I need you to consider flexi time for me”.
I’ll also never forget how proud I felt when a staff member comes up to me and said they’re resigning because they got a job with a higher pay grade at another workplace or going overseas under the quota or the RSE.
To me that is growth. Those will be the lasting memories that I will take with me after my time at OEC.
NEWSLINE Samoa : What would be the most memorable.
FAIMALOMATUMUA : I have tonnes of memorable experiences as the Electoral Commissioner that I will take with me. ✅ perhaps the ones that will always stand out for me would be the experiences that I had to endure when I’m called upon to make a decision. Tough decisions.
✅ Some of the hardest decisions that I had to make were the decisions to terminate a staff member.
As Electoral Commissioner I had to let go of five people. It pains me every time I’m called to make those decisions because I know it will not affect that person only.
There were people who relied on that person for food, electricity water etc. But in all these 5 cases, there was no other choice for me but to terminate.
I remember one guy who was given numerous opportunities, warning after warning but would still default back to the habits that got him in trouble time after time.
Against his superior’s advise I gave him an opportunity to go on training in China. The guy got drunk and missed the flight. I knew I was going to get the “I told you so” from his supervisor”. But still felt there’s hope for him.
A year later another opportunity to attend another training overseas arose and I recommended him again. He went.
Luckily he did not miss his flight this time. I did notice change in his self-confidence when he returned but sadly old habits die-hard. And was forced to let go of him.
Same with other cases. Sadly, it’s me who had to made those decisions.
NEWSLINE Samoa : What improvements would you recommend for OEC.
FAIMALOMATUMUA : I’ll be very very biased and subjective if I say there’s none. Because there is always room for improvement.
But I like to think that we have certainly elevated the place from when I first got hold of the leadership realms to where we are now.
I like to think that we have improved the quality and the calibre of the staff.
✅ We definitely improved the working culture at OEC where staff members take pride and responsibilities in their work.
A working culture that affirms the notion that once you enter the doors of OEC, you are a mere public servant and your primary role is to serve the public regardless of your status whether you’re the son of a King and a millionaire.
We removed those hats the moment we entered those OEC doors and just serve the people.
An environment where the staff don’t have to turn up to work because of fear but because they have to serve.
An environment where smokers will have their own little corner to smoke rather than tiptoeing far away from the place to have a puff. Or an environment where you don’t have only two 30-minute windows during the day to fix yourself a coffee.
So results will take care of themselves once you have in place the right people, the right working environment and culture. But these things change overtime and improvements are always required in order to stay relevant.
NEWSLINE Samoa : What political figure impressed you most. Why?
FAIMALOMATUMUA : I am not impressed at all by politicians. As a matter of fact I hate politics I despise it. But I have a lot of respect and admiration for Statesmen and women. It’s hard for me to say names but over the years I have crossed paths with a lot of politicians and amongst them, in my own humble opinion are a very few States-people.
✅ States-people always talk about vision far beyond the horizon, solutions to problems and issues rather than finger pointing; opportunities for the majority rather than just a group of people.
Most importantly having time for the people. Anyone I mean. I suppose as States-people, you just can’t be selective with who you should have time for.
NEWSLINE Samoa : From legal, political to judicial duties. With your political and legal background is that a friendly transition.
FAIMALOMATUMUA : Funny how that has generated a lot of conversation in the recent days. Because I know there were other positions where direct appointments were made and yet not a lot was said.
✅ But there was a process that we had to go through. There was a vigorous interviewing process that we had to go through also.
The rest is totally out of our control. But nevertheless, it’s an opportunity that I’m absolutely honoured to be considered for.
While the process is still ongoing I have prepared myself for whatever that comes of it.
One thing for sure is that I will give this opportunity nothing but my very very best.
It will be a huge challenge but what’s life without challenges?
NEWSLINE Samoa : Have you or will you consider any shot at a seat in Parliament somewhere in the future.
FAIMALOMATUMUA : At this very moment, not at all. I always believe that God has already written our paths. That’s why I am always at peace with the decisions I made about career pathways – they’ve already been written.