Proposed FijiansFirst Party Submits Registration Application

The Proposed FijiansFirst Party has formally submitted its application for registration to the Registrar of Political Parties, marking the next step in its bid to become an officially recognised political party in Fiji.

Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa received the application on Monday 16 March. The documents were lodged by founding member and General Secretary Ravindran Kumaran, together with party member and Member of Parliament Ketan Lal.

According to the Registrar, preparations are now underway for the application to be published in a newspaper and in the Fiji Government Gazette, as required under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.

Once published, the statutory objections period will begin, allowing members of the public to submit written objections to the application.

Ms Mataiciwa said any objections received will be assessed within seven days after the proposed party is given an opportunity to respond.

She added that both the applicant party and any objectors will be informed of the outcome once the assessment process is completed.

The Registrar will then determine whether the Proposed FijiansFirst Party has met all legal requirements under the Act and whether it will be granted registration.

Ms Mataiciwa also stressed the importance of transparency and public participation in the political party registration process.