FEO to conduct by-elections if FijiFirst seats in Parliament become vacant – Mataiciwa

The Fijian Elections Office will conduct a by-election if the suspended FijiFirst Party gets deregistered and the Members of Parliament do not want to join another party or become an independent candidate, and want to resign from their seat.

This was highlighted by the Acting Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa when questioned by the media on the worst case scenario if the suspended FijiFirst Party does not comply with the Political Parties Act during the suspension period.

Mataiciwa says if the parties do not submit their accounts and sources of funds next Thursday, they will be given time until 15th of July to submit it, however, if the parties fail to do so, then the party will be deregistered and the members will have the option to either join another political party or become an independent candidate.

She says if the suspended FijiFirst MPs do not oblige to join other party or become an independent candidate, then they can resign whereby their seats become vacant, which calls for a by election.

Mataiciwa also says if the suspended FijiFirst Party wants to sit for parliament next week, then they have to submit their accounts and sources of fund this week.

Mataiciwa confirms FijiFirst Party, All People's Party, and We Unite Fiji Party have yet to submit their audited accounts and source of funds to the FEO.

The Acting SOE says New Generation Party has submitted their audited accounts but they are currently liasing with the Fiji Institute of Accountants to confirm weather the accounts provided is as per the FEO’s standard and the person that has provided the account is a certified accountant.

She further says the FEO has been corresponding with the suspended parties and are told that they will comply by next Thursday and the FEO will have to wait till then to see whether they submit it or not.

The Acting SOE says the People's Alliance Party, SODELPA, and the National Federation Party have submitted their accounts, which is according to FEO standards.

She says that the audited reports are on the FEO’s website and anyone interested can visit the website or people interested in the sources of income for the parties can visit the FEO office and pay $20 each for inspection fees.