The FijiFirst Party has been instantly de-registered under Section 12(4) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. The Party was instructed to adjust its Constitution to fulfill requirements specified in Schedule 2 of the Act back in May. The Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, confirmed the immediate de-registration as the Party failed to meet the ordered amendments by Friday 4 pm.
Post-de-registration, no individual pursuant to Section 20(1) of the Act is permitted to call a party members’ or officers’ meeting other than for terminating the party or questioning the de-registration; attend or require someone to attend a meeting as a party member or officer; publicize a meeting; invite individuals to back the Party; contribute or lend to the party funds; or ensure such funds.
Mataiciwa went on to mention that anyone dissatisfied with the de-registration can appeal to the Electoral Commission of Fiji within 14 days. Should no appeal be submitted within the specified duration, the winding-up process will begin as per Section 28(1) of the Act. Furthermore, all 26 FijiFirst Members of Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament have been informed about the development.