Registrar of Political Parties tells Duituturaga that suspended SODELPA still has to meet some of the requirements

Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem has told Emele Duituturaga-Jale of the suspended SODELPA that the appointment of their General Secretary has to be done through a nationally recognized recruitment process and the successful applicant has to sign a Performance Agreement as stated in the suspended party’s constitution.

Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem

Saneem has told Duituturaga that they still have to meet the requirement under the Constitution.

Duituturaga and Tanya Waqanika met Saneem at the Fijian Elections Office at about 3pm yesterday with all their documents, hoping to get the suspension lifted.

Saneem says it must be noted from the Constitution of SODELPA (In Suspension) that the management board does not have the powers to carry out direct appointment of the General Secretary nor does the Constitution provide for Acting appointments for General Secretary. He says the Constitution is clear on the process and the requirements that need to be met to appoint the General Secretary.

Saneem says from the application received yesterday afternoon, it is evident that the Party Management Board neglected and/or failed to ensure that it complies with the SODELPA (In Suspension) Constitution.

Sitiveni Rabuka says they will meet early next week to try to meet the requirements of the party’s constitution.

[Emele Duituturaga]

Duituturaga was yesterday appointed as the Acting General Secretary, Vice President of the suspended SODELPA, Vijay Singh was appointed as the Acting President of the suspended party, while Ratu Epenisa Cakobau and businessman Ratu Jone Lesuma were appointed as the Vice Presidents.

[Ratu Jone Lesuma and Ratu Epenisa Cakobau]

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu was also nominated for the Vice President’s position however he was defeated when this went to the vote.

[Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu second from right]

Ratu Ilisoni Vuidreketi was selected as the Acting Treasurer.

[Ratu Ilisoni Vuidreketi]

Steps are being taken by members of the suspended SODELPA led by Vijay Singh to rectify all the issues that the suspended party is facing and the management board meeting was held in Suva to make the casual executive appointments for the party.

Singh chaired the meeting via Zoom.

Fijivillage has received confirmation that the suspended party was aiming to rectify all the irregularities highlighted by the Registrar of Political Parties in the meeting however they were unsuccessful when they took the submission.

Both groups within the suspended party who had earlier held separate management board meetings attended the meeting chaired by Singh. Sitiveni Rabuka, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, Lynda Tabuya, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Emele Duituturaga-Jale, Anare Jale, Aseri Radrodro, Mere Samisoni, Tanya Waqanika, Viliame Gavoka, Mosese Bulitavu, Peceli Rinakama and Salote Radrodro were in attendance.

Fijivillage has been told that all the 42 management board members attended the meeting.