The Fijian Elections Office (FEO) earlier in the week, organised an Information Session for Proposed Political Parties.

The Registrar for Political Parties, Ms Ana Mataiciwa, confirmed that there are currently fourteen (14) Proposed Political Parties that have shown an intent to comply with the registration requirements of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 (Act) and lodge applications for registration as a political party.

“The 14 Proposed Political Parties who have reserved their Party names are;

1. Proposed Fiji Constitution Conservative Party
2. Proposed Liberation of Fiji Party
3. Proposed Hearts with Vision
4. Proposed Cornerstone Vision Party
5. Proposed One United Republican (OUR)
6. Proposed One People’s Party
7. Proposed Fijians First Party
8. Proposed Servant of All Party (SOAP)
9. Proposed Solidarity Fiji
10. Proposed NextGen Alliance Fiji
11. 1Proposed People First
12. Proposed Fijian National Congress
13. Proposed National Greens Party, and the
14. Proposed Kingdom Fiji,” said Ms Mataiciwa.

In addressing the representatives of the Proposed Political Parties, Ms Mataiciwa stated that they could visit the communities and settlements and engage with the members.

“You can move around the country and recruit members. Should you face any difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact us,” Ms Mataiciwa stated.

Ms. Mataiciwa also emphasized that every member of the public has the right to join any party or proposed party of their choice. However, it is important to note that individuals should only be a member of one party or proposed party at any given time.

‘I would like to highlight the significance of Section 23 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji which clearly affirms that: “Every citizen has the freedom to make political choices, and the right to (a) form or join a political party; (b) participate in the activities of, or recruit members for, a political party,” said the Registrar of Political Parties.

Ms Mataiciwa added that the purpose of the session was to assist proposed political parties understand the registration requirements outlined in the Act, the timelines involved, fees and the relevant application documents that will be submitted.

“For the FEO, we do not want to leave anyone behind as we value every stakeholder, and this was an important engagement for us,” Ms Mataiciwa elaborated.

The Information Session was attended by the following Proposed Parties;

1. Proposed Hearts With Vision, represented by Salote Malani,
2. Proposed One United Republican (OUR) Party, represented by Nayagodamu Korovou and Justin Lawrence,
3. Proposed NextGen Alliance, represented by Apisai Moce,
4. Proposed Liberation of Fiji Party, represented by Veronica and Manoa Malani,
5. Proposed Kingdom Fiji, represented by Paul Morrell,
6. Proposed National Green Party and
7. Proposed One People’s Party, whose representatives chose not to be named.

The Registrar for Political Parties also highlighted that the FEO has been in close discussions with the Fiji Police Force to ensure smooth coordination.

“We have briefed the Fiji Police Force to ensure they are fully informed that representatives from these Proposed Political Parties will be actively engaging with the public and collecting membership in the field,” Ms Mataiciwa emphasized.