FijiansFirst Party Applies to Register as Public Objections Window Opens

The Registrar of Political Parties has confirmed a formal application has been lodged to register a new political organisation calling itself the FijiansFirst Party, marking the latest entrant into Fiji’s political party registration process.

Registrar Ana Mataiciwa said the application was filed by Ravindran Kumaran, identified as a founding member and general secretary of the proposed party, and Ketan Lal MP, listed as a party member. Mataiciwa confirmed preparations are now under way to publish the application both in a newspaper and in the Fiji Government Gazette, a statutory step under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 that triggers the next stage of scrutiny.

Once the notice appears in the Gazette and the newspaper, the statutory period for public objections will begin. Mataiciwa said any person may submit a written objection to the Registrar about the party’s bid for registration. Under the Act, the Registrar must allow the proposed party a chance to respond to any objections and then assess and determine all objections within seven days of receipt.

The Registrar’s office will notify both those who lodged objections and the applicant of the outcome of that assessment. If no objections stand or, after resolution, the Registrar is satisfied the submission meets the legal requirements, a decision will be made on whether to register the FijiansFirst Party under the Act.

Mataiciwa emphasised that the publication and objections process is intended to ensure transparency and public participation in how political parties are admitted to the formal system. “The process provides members of the public the opportunity to raise lawful objections while allowing proposed parties to meet the requirements set out in the Act,” she said.

The FijiansFirst application is the latest move among groups seeking formal recognition; earlier this year other political movements publicly signalled intentions to pursue registration. The Registrar’s handling of the FijiansFirst notice will follow the established timetable set by law, with the seven-day objection assessment an important checkpoint before any registration can be confirmed.