The Social Democratic Liberal Party Special General Assembly is currently underway.
About 100 members are attending the meeting in Suva.
Some members attending include former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his wife, Leba, Party President Ro Teimumu Kepa, Dr Tupeni Baba, Ratu Jone Kubuabola, Mere Samisoni, Solomoni Naivalu, Litia Qionibaravi, Losena Salabula and Pio Tabaiwalu.
Ro Teimumu Kepa acknowledged Qarase’s willingness to be involved as a member of the new party but she said the restriction under the Political Parties Decree makes him ineligible to hold an official position in a party.
She said Qarase remains a symbol of hope for the party.
Qarase cannot be a party official as he was convicted of abuse of office and sentence to 12 months.
This disqualifies him from becoming an official under the decree.
Meanwhile the SODELPA Management Board will be appointed this hour, before a committee is elected who will then choose the new leader of the party.
Story by: Watisoni Butabua and Tokasa Rainima
