NFP wants tougher rules for deregistered political parties

Fiji's National Federation Party (NFP) is advocating for more stringent constitutional regulations to prevent leaders of deregistered political parties from establishing new entities before settling outstanding financial obligations. This proposal emerged during a hearing of the Constitutional Review Commission.

NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad addressed the commission, noting that the current 2013 Constitution permits Members of Parliament from deregistered parties to continue serving as independents or join other parties. Prasad emphasized the need for greater accountability, particularly for parties that dissolve leaving behind unpaid debts to service providers.

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What we were saying is that the Commission needs to look at in the future. You know one party got deregistered. They split themselves into three groups. That party also left a debt behind. I think some of the people who provided services to that party are left in the dark, and our recommendation is that and now the same people who are part of it have formed parties.

"You know one party got deregistered. They split themselves into three groups. That party also left a debt behind," Professor Prasad stated, highlighting a situation where former party members formed new parties. He argued that individuals unable to manage a party's finances and debts should not be allowed to assume leadership roles in new political organizations.

The NFP's recommendation is that such individuals should be barred from forming new parties or holding political office until all debts are cleared. Professor Prasad further suggested that those who fail to meet their financial responsibilities could even face bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, the NFP commented on the Code of Conduct, noting that while the constitution provides for it, the necessary enforcement legislation has yet to be enacted.

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Now we’re saying that’s not acceptable. If you can’t run a party, you can’t look after your debt. You have no right to form another party and be a politician or so-called leader. That’s what we are saying in our recommendation. They should actually be discharged as a bankrupt because they owe money to people who provided services to the party.