FijiFirst, New Generation Party, We Unite Fiji and All People’s Party suspended for 30 days for not submitting audited accounts

The FijiFirst Party, New Generation Party, We Unite Fiji Party and All People’s Party have been suspended for 30 days with immediate effect for contravening Section 26(2) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act.

Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa says Section 26(2) of the Act requires all parties to provide to the Registrar, within 3 months after the end of each financial year, the record of accounts of its income, expenditure, assets and liabilities audited by an auditor certified by the Fiji Institute of Accountants.

Mataiciwa says all political parties were given a one-month extension to submit all accounts and other disclosures by 29th April 2023.

However, until today, the four parties have not complied with these requirements.

The Acting Supervisor of Elections says the parties are suspended for 30 days and have 60 days to remedy the breach/contravention or face deregistration as a political party.

During the period of suspension, the suspended parties cannot operate, function, represent or hold itself out to be a political party.

Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruiratu has referred all questions regarding the party’s suspension to the General Secretary of the FijiFirst, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Seruiratu says they are currently clearing out their parliamentary office and are informing other Members of Parliament.

When asked on what happens to the party’s office and presence on social media platforms as the Acting Supervisor says they cannot hold themselves out to be a party during their suspension, Seruiratu says they are trying to get legal advice.

But he states they will follow the law.

We have sought a response from Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.