NextGen Alliance Denied Fiji Party Registration Over Regional Membership Gaps

The Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, has officially rejected the registration application of the proposed NextGen Alliance Party due to its inability to meet the minimum membership criteria in several divisions. Despite having submitted a total of 7,716 members’ names, only 4,458 were verified, falling short of the legal minimum requirement of 5,000 verified members across the necessary areas.

In her evaluation, Mataiciwa noted that while the party exceeded the overall membership requirement, it did not secure the necessary numbers in the Central, Western, and Northern divisions. Specifically, the Central Division required 2,000 verified members but only had 1,828 after verification. The Western Division needed 1,750 members and recorded 1,482, while the Northern Division was required to present 1,000 members but only verified 882. Conversely, the Eastern Division met its threshold with 266 members verified against a minimum requirement of 250.

Mataiciwa stated, “As such, the application has not been approved, and the decision has been formally communicated to the representatives of the party, outlining the legal requirements that have not been met.” She emphasized that the registration of political parties is strictly governed by established legal standards to maintain transparency, accountability, and compliance within Fiji’s electoral system. Consistency in the evaluation process is paramount, as all applications are assessed according to the law.

The NextGen Alliance Party has the option to appeal the decision within 14 days of receiving formal notification. The Fijian Elections Office reiterated its commitment to guiding applicants through the process, ensuring that all necessary steps are clearly understood and adhered to, while maintaining the integrity of the political party registration system.

This development serves as a reminder of the rigorous standards that govern political party registration in Fiji, reflecting the importance of accountability and proper compliance in the country’s electoral landscape.