30 Apr 2013

Fiji Party Registrar vetting explanations

12:55 pm on 30 April 2013

Fiji's Registrar of Political Parties says it has received a response from the proposed Fiji Labour Party on alleged anomalies in its application.

According to FBC News, the Registrar, Mohammed Saneem, says the response is now with him as well as responses from the proposed National Federation Party.

Applicants have been accused of impersonating government officials to collect membership signatures.

It is not known how long it will take Mr Saneem to vet the responses.

In January, the regime decreed that parties were given a month to apply to remain registered under its new terms.

So far no party has been approved to contest the election promised for next year.

Anyone purporting to speak on behalf of a party not registered by the regime risks a jail sentence.

The regime leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, is yet to launch his party but he has said he will stand for the prime ministership and is expected to win.