Police have today stressed that SODELPA needs to get permits for the three constituency meetings that they are planning to have from tonight in Suva.
Chief of Operations, ACP Rusiate Tudravu says this is required under the law and SODELPA should apply for the permit.
Under section 8 of the Public Order Act, any person who wishes to organize or convene a meeting or procession in a public place shall first make an application for a permit in that behalf to the appropriate authority and, unless such authority is satisfied for good reason that such a meeting or procession is likely to prejudice the maintenance of peace of good order, he shall issue a permit specifying - in the case of a meeting, the purpose for which and the place or times at or between which, such meeting may be held and such other conditions as he may think fit to impose.
Every application for a permit under the provisions of the section shall be made in writing to the appropriate authority at least seven days, or within such lesser time as he may specify in any particular case, prior to the date on which it is proposed to organize or convene a meeting.
The provisions of the section do not apply to processions solely in connection with marriages or funerals.
Although the Public Order Act is in place, Opposition MP, Semesa Karavaki questions why the Solicitor General advised Police that SODELPA requires the permit.
Karavaki says the Public Order Act is for meetings in public places that are likely to prejudice the maintenance of peace or good order.
He questions how this constitutes a threat to public order is beyond him.
The three planned meetings in Suva are in church halls and the advertisement states that everyone is welcome to attend.
ACP Tudravu says based on this, the planned meetings are public meetings.
