30 May 2014

Fiji regime party name stolen - UFDF

1:52 pm on 30 May 2014

The United Front for a Democratic Fiji says the regime's proposed Fiji First party has committed a clear cut breach of the Political Parties Decree by using the name of a previous party.

The Front's co-ordinator, Mick Beddoes, recently lodged an objection to the registration of Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama's proposed party, with the Supervisor of Elections.

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Photo: Fiji First

Mr Beddoes says he hasn't had a response yet from the Supervisor Mohammed Saneem.

A complaint has also been lodged by the Fiji First Party, which was wound up by the regime last year.

Fiji First is the registered name of a previous political party that contested the 2006 general elections and Mr Beddoes says approval of the use of the name would be a breach of section eight of the Political Parties Decree.

"How the supervisor of elections decides on this is a very important matter and people should pay attention to this because this will demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt that the laws in Fiji are only for a certain group."

Mick Beddoes says he has spoken to a couple of lawyers who say it's a black and white breach.