An official with the Fiji regime's proposed political party, Fiji First, says he resigned as its vice president to protect his family's reputation and his own integrity.
Bijai Prasad was jailed for a year 32 years ago.
Mr Prasad was appointed as vice president when the proposed party submitted its registration application on Monday, but he says he had not disclosed his criminal conviction.
He says he consulted with the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, who is also a Fiji First official, but the decision to resign was entirely his.
He says he will continue to be a party member but has not entertained standing for Parliament.
"I am 75 years old and one of the senior officials did request [of] me some time back that I should contest. My reply was look I don't want people to have a by-election because - I am in fairly good shape but I would rather see some young blood in the government."
Bijai Prasad.
