FijiFirst (in suspension) is the only party from the four suspended parties that has complied with section 23 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 however they are yet to comply with section 26 of the law.
The Fijian Elections Office says the four suspended political parties have liaised with the FEO in regards to compliance with sections 23 and 26 requirements of the Political Parties Act.
Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa reiterates that according to section 23(4) of the Act, a party that fails to submit its Sources of Funds is liable to a penalty of $100 for each day the non-compliance continues and if it remains non-compliant after 30 days, the party must be deregistered.
The 30 days period will end on 29th May 2023, however, this can be given to the FEO on 30th May 2023, which falls on the next business day.
The rest are all working on complying with the requirements.
Section 23 deals with the submission of the sources of funds for the party.
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.
The FijiFirst Party, New Generation Party, We Unite Fiji Party and All People’s Party remain suspended.
Mataiciwa reiterates that the parties who have still not complied are suspended for thirty days and have sixty 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.
She says all non-complying parties have been reminded that failure to submit will result in deregistration.
Mataiciwa also confirms that for the additional two parties that did not comply with section 23, SODELPA had submitted their List of Sources of Funds on Tuesday and the People’s Alliance submitted their list today.
Earlier:
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.
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