Former FijiFirst Vice President Ravindran Kumaran and MP Ketan Lal have submitted their application for the registration of the proposed FijiansFirst Party as a political party.
The application was submitted today by Kumaran as Founding Member and General Secretary of the proposed party, and Ketan Lal MP, as party member.
Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa confirms preparations are underway to publish the party’s application in a newspaper and in the Fiji Government Gazette, as required under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 (Act).
She says once the publication is made, the statutory objections period will officially commence.
Mataiciwa says during the objection period, any person may submit a written objection to the Registrar regarding the party’s application for registration.
The Registrar says she will assess and determine all objections within 7 days of receipt after giving the proposed party an opportunity to respond.
Mataiciwa adds that both the objectors and the applicant party will be informed of the outcome once the assessment process is completed.
Upon completion of this process, the Registrar will determine whether the application by the Proposed FijiansFirst Party meets the requirements set out under the Act, and whether the party will be registered.
The Registrar reiterates the importance of transparency and public participation in the Political Party registration process, ensuring that all proposed parties meet the legal requirements while providing members of the public with the opportunity to raise objections as provided under the law.
