16 Jul 2013

Fiji political parties' complaint addressed by Commission today

10:03 am on 16 July 2013

Fiji's Commerce Commission is expected to make a decision today on the official complaint of the three political parties regarding the advertising cost of the declaration of their assets and liabilities.

Last week, three of Fiji's four political parties were sent a 14,000 US dollar bill from the newspaper through the registrar of political parties, Mohammed Saneem, for publishing their party asset declarations in June.

Yesterday was the deadline for the National Federation Party, the Social Democratic and Liberal Party and the Fiji Labour Party to pay for the publication costs.

SODELPA managed to raise funds over the weekend and paid its bill.

The National Federation Party President, Raman Pratap Singh said the NFP also paid for the publication of their declaration of assets and liabilities.

However Mr Singh said they are now awaiting the determination of the Commerce Commission.

Mr Singh has also written to the Registrar of Political Parties, saying that the Registrar's argument that NFP did not object to the publication in the Fiji Sun is illogical.

Meanwhile the Fiji Labour Party is awaiting decision from the Commerce Commission in relation to their payment.

It has been confirmed that the Labour Party has been billed over 3,000 US dollars for the publication.