26 May 2014

False declaration tests Fiji election supervisor - UFDF

11:53 am on 26 May 2014

The United Front for a Democratic Fiji says a false declaration by the regime leader's proposed political party will test the Supervisor of Elections.

Last week, Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama's proposed Fiji First party submitted its registration papers, which included the name of one supporter, Bijai Prasad, who wrongly claimed to have no criminal record - an offence that can incur a fine and up to five years in prison or both.

The political parties decree says if a party commits such an offence, every officer of the party is deemed to have committed the offence.

The Front's co-ordinator, Mick Beddoes, says he believes the decree was drafted with malicious intent to try to block the return of the political parties.

"Much for what of the decree calls for is unfair and unreasonable but they have insisted that this is the law. Now, they have to apply the law to themselves."

The co-ordinator of the United Front for a Democratic Fiji, Mick Beddoes