14 Feb 2013

Deadline for political parties to register approaches in Fiji

4:38 pm on 14 February 2013

Only one political party has confirmed it's applied to re-register under a controversial new decree as the deadline approaches in Fiji.

Existing political parties have until midnight tonight to lodge their applications with the Registrar of Political Parties, which must satisfy strict new criteria, including them having to sign-up 5000 members.

Of the main political parties in Fiji, only the National Federation Party has confirmed it's applied.

An official from the Labour Party today couldn't confirm whether it had applied and says a statement will be issued later today.

The SDL party was forced to wind up under the regime's decree, although the party is to reform under a new name but also didn't want to comment.

The process could again delay the formation of the Constituent Assembly which is meant to debate a draft constitution, as the decree sets out that the Assembly has to include representatives of political parties.