14 Proposed Political Parties lodge applications for registration

14 Proposed Political Parties have shown an intent to comply with the registration requirements of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 and have lodged applications for registration as a political party.

This has been confirmed by the Registrar for Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, who says that the 14 Proposed Political Parties have reserved their party names as the Proposed Fiji Constitution Conservative Party, the Proposed Liberation of Fiji Party, the Proposed Hearts with Vision, the Proposed Cornerstone Vision Party, the Proposed One United Republican (OUR), the Proposed One People's Party, the Proposed Fijians First Party, the Proposed Servant of All Party (SOAP), the Proposed Solidarity Fiji, the Proposed NextGen Alliance Fiji, the Proposed People First, the Proposed Fijian National Congress, the Proposed National Greens Party, and the Proposed Kingdom Fiji.

While addressing the representatives of the Proposed Political Parties during an Information Session hosted by the Elections Office, Mataiciwa stated that they could visit the communities and settlements and engage with the members.

She says they can move around the country and recruit members, and if they face any difficulty, they should not hesitate to contact them.

She also emphasized that every member of the public has the right to join any party or proposed party of their choice, however, it is important to note that individuals should only be a member of one party or proposed party at any given time.

Mataiciwa also highlighted the significance of Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, which clearly affirms that every citizen has the freedom to make political choices and the right to (a) form or join a political party, (b) participate in the activities of, or recruit members for, a political party.

The Registrar of Political Parties adds the purpose of the session was to assist proposed political parties in understanding the registration requirements outlined in the Act, the timelines involved, fees and the relevant application documents that will be submitted.

Mataiciwa elaborated that they do not want to leave anyone behind as they value every stakeholder, and this was an important engagement for them.

The Information Session was attended by the Proposed Hearts With Vision, represented by Salote Malani, the Proposed One United Republican (OUR) Party, represented by Nayagodamu Korovou and Justin Lawrence, the Proposed NextGen Alliance, represented by Apisai Moce, the Proposed Liberation of Fiji Party, represented by Veronica and Manoa Malani, the Proposed Kingdom Fiji, represented by Paul Morrell, the Proposed National Green Party and the Proposed One People's Party, whose representatives chose not to be named.

The Registrar for Political Parties also highlighted that the FEO has been in close discussions with the Fiji Police Force to ensure the smooth coordination.

She says they have briefed the Fiji Police Force to ensure they are fully informed that representatives from these Proposed Political Parties will be actively engaging with the public and collecting membership in the field.