Only the proposed National Federation Party and proposed Fiji Labour Party have handed in their applications for re-registration as a party.
However FLP Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry said they have also filed legal action in the High Court challenging the Political Parties Decree.
Chaudhry said their papers were accepted by the court registry.
Chaudhry said he knows that none of the parties can hold themselves out to be a party until they are re-registered.
However, he stresses that the Fiji Labour Party is not closing it’s office.
Chaudhry confirms that he is re-registering the Labour Party with him as the party leader and he also said that he remains the General Secretary of the National Farmers Union.
When asked by Fijivillage why he has done this as the decree clearly states that unionists cannot hold a party executive post, Chaudhry said he will still hold both positions.
Registrar for Political Parties, Mere Vuniwaqa has reminded existing political parties that they will be wound up if they do not meet the deadline of midnight last night to comply with the terms of the Political Parties Decree.
The Registrar has made it clear that any assets owned by the parties which did not register would be forfeited to the State.
Vuniwaqa said after midnight, no association of persons or organization may operate, function, represent or hold itself out to be a political party until they are registered under the decree.
This applies to both existing parties who have made their applications or new parties that are still to be formed.
For existing parties, they must wait until their applications are assessed.
If approved, they will be registered under the Decree and resume operating as political parties.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
