Former FijiFirst party MP Premila Kumar has announced that she and other Opposition MPs plan to appeal against the deregistration of the party by the Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa. Ms. Kumar declined to reveal who else would be involved in the appeal process.
Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu, a former FijiFirst colleague, confirmed that he will remain an independent MP, as he stated in a letter to Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu last week. Seruiratu added that his colleagues are free to make their own decisions regarding the appeal.
Former FijiFirst acting general secretary Faiyaz Koya indicated he would not be participating in the appeal. Attempts to obtain a comment from former party general secretary Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum were unsuccessful.
The deregistration of FijiFirst was announced on July 1 by Ms. Mataiciwa due to the party’s failure to amend its constitution to include guidelines on resolving internal disputes, a requirement under the Political Parties Act, 2013.
MPs wishing to appeal the Fijian Elections Office’s decision have until Monday, July 15, when the appeal period ends.