Tupou Draunidalo will lead a newly proposed political party called FijiansFirst, according to documents lodged as part of the organisation’s formal registration process. The application names the lawyer and former Member of Parliament as president and lists former minister Faiyaz Koya among the movement’s founding members, signalling a high-profile launch that seeks to capitalise on recent shifts in Fiji’s political landscape.
The registration paperwork, sighted by media, also records Ravindran Kumaran as general secretary and Sanjay Kirpal as treasurer, alongside a slate of other founding members. The party’s draft constitution states that FijiansFirst aims to “serve the best interests of Fijians” and sets out objectives including promoting equality, democratic governance, economic development, upholding the Constitution, fostering national unity and encouraging sustainable, inclusive growth.
Unusually explicit in its ambitions, the party’s application declares an intention to contest seats in Parliament with the goal of forming government and appointing a Prime Minister if it secures enough support. The organisers have not yet announced candidate lists or campaign plans; the application remains part of the formal registration process and must be approved by the Registrar of Political Parties before FijiansFirst can operate publicly or field candidates in an election.
Draunidalo brings prior parliamentary and party leadership experience to the new venture. She previously served as a Member of Parliament, held the presidency of the National Federation Party, and led other political initiatives including the HOPE Party, giving her name recognition and organisational experience in Fiji’s fractured political field. Koya, also listed among the founders, is a lawyer and former Cabinet minister who served in portfolios including commerce, trade and tourism and has held the post of Attorney-General.
The emergence of FijiansFirst follows the deregistration of the former FijiFirst party in 2024, an event that has prompted a reconfiguration of loyalties and the creation of new groupings ahead of the next general election. Other newcomers have already entered the fray: a separate formation called People First, led by former FijiFirst-aligned figures, has been registered in recent months, underscoring the fluidity of Fiji’s party map and the competition for voter support once held by the deregistered party.
The registration process provides for scrutiny and potential objections before a party is formally recognised. Recent precedents show that name, symbol and constitutional provisions can attract challenges during vetting, and any objections would need to be resolved by the Registrar or appealed to the Electoral Commission. Organisers of FijiansFirst will therefore need to pass that administrative hurdle before moving to recruit candidates, outline policy platforms in detail, and mount a campaign.
For now, the filing marks the latest development in a period of rapid political realignment. If approved, FijiansFirst would add another contender to an expanding field of parties vying to shape government formation and policy direction in Fiji.
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