The National Federation Party, the Fiji Labour Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA have been registered under the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Decree.
Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem said these parties will be able to operate, function, represent and hold themselves out to be political parties.
The Registrar said he had taken a liberal approach in assessing the applications and although there were anomalies in all three parties membership lists, he was satisfied that each contained more than 5,000 valid signatures.
The NFP applied for registration with 7,574 member signatures, 189 of which were discounted as anomalies and total remaining 7,385.
The FLP applied for registration with 8,456 member signatures, 284 of which were discounted as anomalies, total remaining 8,172.
The SODELPA applied for registration with 8,825 member signatures, 136 of which were discounted as anomalies and total remaining 8,689.
He said the anomalies will be referred to the relevant authorities, including the police for investigation and any further action.
Meanwhile these parties are given 30 days to submit to the Registrar a written declaration giving details of all assets and expenditure including all contributions, donations or pledges of contributions whether in cash or in kind, made or to be made to the initial assets of the political party.
Party officials and in the future party candidates will also have to disclose personal incomes, assets, business connections, directorships, gifts and liabilities.
Story by: Tokasa Rainima
