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CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE 1 - ARTICLE 2.docx
TM Rules 2004
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE FIJI GOVERNMENT Vol. 14 TUESDAY, 15th JANUARY 2013
POLITICAL PARTIES (REGISTRATION, CONDUCT, FUNDING AND DISCLOSURES) DECREE 2013 (DECREE NO. 4 OF 2013) SECTIONS PART 1PRELIMINARY
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.	15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.
PART 2REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES
Registration of political parties Existing political parties to register under this Decree within 28 days Registered	voters	to	be	members	and	office	holders	etc. Application for registration No registration during elections Parties with certain names not to be registered Procedure for dealing with application Registration Changes to the Register Contents of the constitution or rules of a political party Mergers Restrictions	on	public	officers	in	a	political	party Resignation from political party Corporate status of political party and declaration of assets etc. Records of political party Duty of political party to inform Registrar Deregistration of a political party Effect of deregistration
PART 3FUNDING AND ACCOUNTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES
Sources of funds for a political party and independent candidate Offences related to sources of funds Publishing sources of funds Applicants,	office	holders	of	political	parties	and	independent	candidates	to	Parliament	to	declare	assets and liabilities 25. Declaration of assets, liabilities and expenditure in relation to elections 26. Audit of political parties accounts
27. Offences 28. Winding up political party
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42 29. Regulations 30. Appeals against the decision of the Registrar 31. Repeal
FIRST SChEDULECODE OF CONDUCT FOR POLITICAL PARTIES SECOND SChEDULECONTENTS OF ThE CONSTITUTION OR RULES OF A POLITICAL PARTY ThIRD SChEDULEMAP OF ALL ThE FOUR DIVISIONS OF FIJI
IN exercise of the powers vested in me as the President of the Republic of Fiji and the Commander in Chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces by virtue of the Executive Authority of Fiji Decree 2009, I hereby make the following Decree PART 1PRELIMINARY
1. This Decree may be cited as the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Decree 2013 and shall come into force on 18th January, 2013. 2. In this Decree, unless the context otherwise requires
applicant or applicants means those members of a proposed political party who apply to be registered as a political party in accordance with the provisions of this Decree; branch means any devolved unit of a political party; Division or Divisions means the Central Division, Western Division, Northern Division and Eastern Division of Fiji as described in the Third Schedule; election means the act of selecting by vote, of a person or persons from among a number of candidates to fill	an	office	or	to	membership	of	any	political	party;
existing political party means any political party existing or registered prior to the commencement of this Decree;
independent candidate means any person who stands as an independent candidate and who is not nominated or supported by a political party registered under this Decree;
financial	year	means	the	period	from	the	1st	day	of	January	to	the	31st	day	of	December,	both	days	inclusive;
member means a natural person;
merger	means	where	two	or	more	political	parties	consolidate	their	operations	and	combine	all	officers,	structure, and other functions of the political parties;
Minister means the Minister responsible for Elections;
office	holder	in	relation	to	a	political	party	means	any	person	who	is	elected	or	appointed	by	the	members	of	the	political	party	to	hold	office	in	that	political	party,	and	shall	include	the	president,	vice-president,	treasurer,	secretary	and	the	registered	officer	of	the	political	party; political party means an association of persons or an organisation, the object or activity, or one of the objects or activities of which, is the promotion of the election to Parliament of a candidate or candidates endorsed by it; proposed political party means the association of persons or an organisation that applies for or has applied for registration as a political party under this Decree; Register means the Register of Political Parties established under this Decree; and Registrar shall mean the Permanent Secretary responsible for Elections.
PART 2REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES 3.(1) An association of persons or an organisation shall not operate, function, represent or hold itself out to be a political party unless it has been registered as a political party in accordance with the provisions of this Decree. (2) If any association of persons or an organisation operate, function, represent or hold itself out to be a political party without being registered in accordance with the provisions of this Decree, then any person who is a member of	or	holds	office	in	any	such	association	or	organisation	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$50,000	or	to	a	term	of	imprisonment	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both.	(3) The Registrar shall not register an association of persons or an organisation as a political party if such association or organisation does not comply with the provisions of this Decree. (4) The Registrar shall establish and maintain a Register, to be known as the Register of Political Parties, containing a list of political parties that are registered under this Decree and such other particulars of such political parties as are required to be contained under this Decree. 4.(1) An existing political party shall continue to operate as a political party for a period of 28 days from the date of the commencement of this Decree. (2) Where an existing political party seeks to continue to operate as a political party after the expiry of the period mentioned in subsection (1), then it must apply to register as a political party in accordance with the provisions of this Decree within 28 days from the date of the commencement of this Decree. (3) If an existing political party applies to register as a political party in accordance with the provisions of this Decree within 28 days from the date of the commencement of this Decree, then it shall, from the date when the application is received by the Registrar, be deemed to be a proposed political party and it must not operate or function as a political party after the expiry of 28 days from the date of commencement of this Decree until such time when it is registered under this Decree, provided however that if the Registrar makes a determination under section 10(2) that the application by an existing political party to register as a political party should be refused, then the Registrar shall wind up any such existing political party in accordance with this Decree and any outstanding net assets of that existing political party shall vest in the State. (4) If an existing political party does not apply to register in accordance with the provisions of this Decree within 28 days from the date of the commencement of this Decree, then it shall be deemed to be deregistered upon the expiry of 28 days from the date of the commencement of this Decree and the Registrar shall wind up any such existing political party in accordance with this Decree and any outstanding net assets of that existing political party shall vest in the State. (5) If any existing political party, without being registered as a political party in accordance with this Decree, continues to operate or function as a political party after the expiry of 28 days from the date of the commencement of	this	Decree,	then	the	office	holders	of	that	existing	political	party	commit	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$50,000	or	to	a	term	of	imprisonment	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both.	5.(1) Only those persons who are registered as a voter under the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Decree 2012 may (a) (b) (c) (d) contest for an elective position in a proposed political party or in any political party registered under this Decree; be an applicant for registration of a proposed political party; be a member of a proposed political party or of any political party registered under this Decree; or
Registered voters to be members and office holders etc. Registration of political parties
Existing political parties to register under this Decree within 28 days
be	an	office	holder	in	a	proposed	political	party	or	in	any	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree.
(2)	A	person	is	disqualified	from	being	an	applicant	or	a	member	of	a	proposed	political	party	if	that	person	has, in the 5 years preceding the date of the application for registration (b) (a) been declared an undischarged bankrupt; or been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than 6 months.
(3)	A	person	is	disqualified	from	being	an	office	holder	of	a	political	party	that	is	registered	under	this	Decree	if	that	person	has,	in	the	5	years	preceding	the	date	when	he	or	she	applies	to	become	an	office	holder	of	the	political	party (b) (a) been declared an undischarged bankrupt; or been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than 6 months.
6.(1) An association of persons or an organisation applying to be registered as a political party shall apply to the Registrar for registration. (2) An application for registration of a proposed political party shall be in writing and be signed by at least 5 applicants, all of whom must be members of the proposed political party. (3) An application for registration shall (a) (b) (c) set out the name of the proposed political party in the English language; set out the symbol of the proposed political party; if the proposed political party wishes to use an abbreviation or acronym of its name, set out that abbreviation or acronym; be accompanied by a copy of the constitution of the proposed political party which shall comply with the provisions of this Decree;
set	out	the	names,	voter	identification	card	numbers	and	addresses	of	all	the	applicants	who	have	signed the application, and the particulars of the capacity in which each applicant is making the application; include an undertaking by all the applicants who have signed the application, to be bound by this Decree and the Code of Conduct set out in the First Schedule;
set	out	the	names,	voter	identification	card	numbers	and	addresses	of	the	office	holders	of	the	proposed	political party; set	out	the	name	of	the	registered	officer	of	the	proposed	political	party,	who	must	also	be	an	applicant;
be	accompanied	by	a	schedule	setting	out	the	names,	addresses,	signatures	and	voter	identification	card numbers of at least 5,000 members of the proposed political party from all the four Divisions with a minimum number of members from each Division as follows
Central Division2,000 members;
(iii) Northern Division1,000 members; (iv) Eastern Division250 members; (j) (k) set	out	the	location	of	its	head	office,	which	shall	be	a	registered	office	within	Fiji	and	a	postal	address	to which notices and other communication may be sent, as well as set out the location and addresses of	the	branch	offices	of	the	proposed	political	party,	which	shall	be	in	all	the	Divisions	of	Fiji;	and be	accompanied	by	a	fee	of	$5005.00.
Western Division1,750 members;
(4) Upon receipt of an application for registration under subsection (2), the Registrar shall deal with the application in accordance with this Decree and determine whether the proposed political party can be registered. 7. No political party shall be registered during the period commencing on the day of the issue of the writ for Parliamentary election and ending on the day on which the writ is returned. 8. The Registrar shall refuse an application for the registration of a proposed political party if (a) (b) (c) the name of the proposed political party comprises of more than 5 words; the name of the proposed political party, the abbreviation or acronym of the name or the symbol is obscene or offensive;
Parties with certain names not to be registered No registration during elections
the name of the proposed political party, the abbreviation or acronym of the name or the symbol is the name, or is an abbreviation or acronym of the name, or is the symbol, of another political party that is registered under this Decree or that has applied for registration under this Decree and the application has been received by the Registrar and has not yet been refused by the Registrar;
the name of the proposed political party, the abbreviation or acronym of the name or the symbol so nearly resembles the name, or an abbreviation or acronym of the name, or the symbol of another political party that is registered under this Decree or that has applied for registration under this Decree and the application has been received by the Registrar and has not yet been refused by the Registrar, that it is likely to be confused with or mistaken for that name, or an abbreviation or acronym of the name, or the symbol, as the case may be; the name of the proposed political party comprises of the word Independent; the name of the proposed political party is not in the English language; or
the	abbreviation	or	acronym	of	the	name	of	the	proposed	political	party	does	not	reflect	the	actual	name of the proposed political party.
9.(1) Where an application for registration is lodged with the Registrar, the Registrar shall within 14 days after the application is lodged, publish in the Gazette and in the media, a notice of the application. (2) A notice under subsection (1) in relation to an application shall (a) (b) set	out	the	particulars	specified	in	the	application	in	accordance	with	section	6(3)	of	this	Decree;	and
invite any person who believes that the application
is not in accordance with section 6 of this Decree; or should be refused under section 8 of this Decree,
to submit written particulars of the grounds for that belief to the Registrar within 7 days after the date of the publication of the notice in the Gazette and in the media. (3) Particulars submitted by a person under subsection (2)(b) shall be signed by, and specify an address of, that person. (4) Particulars submitted under subsection (2)(b)	shall,	as	soon	as	practicable,	be	made	available	at	the	office	of the Registrar in Suva for inspection by members of the public. (5) Where any particulars are submitted to the Registrar under subsection (2)(b), the Registrar shall give a copy of all of the particulars submitted under subsection (2)(b)	to	the	person	who	is	to	be	the	registered	officer	of	the	proposed	political	party	concerned,	and	at	the	same	time,	give	to	the	registered	officer	a	notice	inviting	the	proposed	political party to submit a reply to the particulars to the Registrar within 7 days. (6)	A	reply	submitted	under	subsection	(5)	shall,	as	soon	as	practicable,	be	made	available	at	the	office	of	the	Registrar in Suva for inspection by members of the public.
(7) The Registrar shall not register a political party unless (a) (b) (c) the Registrar has published notice of the application for registration in accordance with this section;
where particulars have been submitted under subsection (2)(b) either (ii) (i) the period of 7 days under subsection (5) has expired; or a reply to the particulars has been received; and
a period of at least 7 days has elapsed after the date of publication of notice of the application in the Gazette and in the media;
the Registrar has considered those particulars (if any) and any reply to the particulars.
10.(1) Where the Registrar determines that a proposed political party, an application for the registration of which has been made, should be registered, he or she shall (a) register the political party by entering in the Register (ii) the symbol of the political party; (i) the name of the political party;
(iii) if an abbreviation or acronym of the name of the political party was set out in the application, that abbreviation or acronym; and
(iv) the	name	and	address	of	the	person	who	has	been	nominated	as	the	registered	officer	of	the	political party for the purposes of the Decree; (c) (b) give written notice to the applicant or applicants that he or she has registered the political party; if any person or persons submitted particulars in response to the invitation referred to in section 9(2) of this Decree in relation to the application, give written notice to that person or those persons that he or	she	has	registered	the	political	party,	and	may,	if	he	or	she	thinks	fit,	set	out	in	the	notice	to	each	person the reasons for rejecting the particulars which were so submitted by the person; and publish in the Gazette and in the media, a notice of the registration of the political party.
(2) Where the Registrar determines that an application for the registration of a proposed political party should be refused, he or she shall give the applicant or applicants written notice that he or she has refused the application, and shall set out the reasons for so refusing. 11.(1) Where a political party is registered under this Decree, an application may be made to the Registrar to change the Register by (a) (c) (b) changing	the	name	of	the	political	party	to	a	name	specified	in	the	application; changing	the	symbol	of	the	political	party	to	a	symbol	specified	in	the	application;
if an abbreviation of the name of the political party is entered in the Register, changing that abbreviation to	an	abbreviation	specified	in	the	application;
if an abbreviation of the name of the political party is not entered in the Register, entering in the Register	an	abbreviation	of	the	name	of	the	political	party,	being	an	abbreviation	specified	in	the	application; or substituting	for	the	name	of	the	registered	officer	entered	in	the	Register	the	name	of	a	person	specified	in the application.
(2) An application under subsection (1) (a) (b)
in	the	case	of	an	application	to	substitute	the	name	of	a	person	as	the	name	of	the	registered	officer	of	a	political	party,	shall	be	signed	by	that	person	and	a	majority	of	the	office	holders	of	the	political	party.
shall	be	in	writing	and	signed	by	a	majority	of	the	office	holders	of	the	political	party;	and
(3) Upon receipt of an application under subsection (1), the Registrar shall deal with the application in accordance with this Decree and determine whether the change requested in the application should be made. (4) Where the Registrar determines that an application under subsection (1) should be granted, he or she shall (b) (c) (a) change the Register accordingly; give the applicant or applicants written notice that he or she has made the change; publish in the Gazette and in the media, a notice of the change.
(5) Where the Registrar determines that an application under subsection (1) should be refused he or she shall give the applicant or applicants written notice that he or she has so determined, and shall set out the reasons for that determination. 12.(1)	The	constitution	or	rules	of	every	political	party	shall	provide	for	all	the	matters	specified	in	the	Second Schedule to this Decree. (2) The Registrar may, by notice in writing, require a political party to amend its name, constitution or rules to comply with this Decree or any other written law. (3)	The	notice	referred	to	in	subsection	(2)	shall	specify	the	areas	of	non-compliance,	the	nature	of	the	amendment	and the reason for such amendment. (4) If a political party does not comply with a notice issued under subsection (2), that political party shall be deregistered. 13.(1) A political party may merge with another political party if the merger is in accordance with the constitution, rules and procedures of the political parties. (2)	The	decision	to	merge	shall	be	in	writing	and	shall	be	duly	executed	by	the	registered	officer	of	each	of	the political parties. (3)	The	office	holders	of	each	political	party	that	intends	to	merge	under	subsection	(1)	shall (a) (b) determine the constitution, rules, regulations and the principles which shall form the basis of the merger and the registration of the new political party; and sign the merger agreement and the particulars for the new political party to be registered under this Decree.
(4) The merger agreement signed under subsection (3)(b) shall be deposited with the Registrar within 21 days of the signing of the agreement. (5) The political parties which have merged into a new political party under this section shall be deemed to have been dissolved upon registration of the new political party. (6) Where a political party merges with another political party, a member of the political party that has merged with another political party who is a member of Parliament, and who does not desire to be a member of the political party formed after the merger shall continue to serve as a member of Parliament, and may join another political party or choose to be an independent member for the remainder of the term of the member. 14.(1)	A	public	officer	shall	not (a) (b) (c)
be eligible to be an applicant or a member of a proposed political party or a political party registered under this Decree;
be	eligible	to	hold	office	in	a	proposed	political	party	or	a	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree; engage in political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of that	persons	office;	or
(d) publicly indicate support for or opposition to any proposed political party or a political party registered under this Decree or candidate in an election.
(2)	For	the	purposes	of	this	section,	public	officer	means	any	person	(a) (b) (c) (d)
holding	an	office	of	a	judge,	a	magistrate	or	an	office	of	any	court	or	tribunal	established	by	written	law; holding	any	office	in	the	public	service,	the	Fiji	Police	Force,	Fiji	Corrections	Services	or	the	Republic	of Fiji Military Forces; or
holding	any	office	in,	or	as	a	member	of,	a	statutory	authority,	a	commission,	or	a	board	established	by or continued in existence by any written law;
who	is	an	elected	or	appointed	officer	of	a	trade	union	registered	under	the	Employment	Relations	Promulgation	2007,	or	of	any	federation,	congress,	council	or	affiliation	of	trade	unions,	or	of	any	federation,	congress,	council	or	affiliation	of	employers.
(3)	Notwithstanding	anything	contained	in	subsection	(2),	for	the	purposes	of	this	section,	public	officer	does	not include the President, the Prime Minister, a Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or a Member of Parliament. (4)	Any	public	officer	who	intends	to	be	an	applicant	or	a	member	of,	or	hold	office	in,	a	proposed	political	party	or	a	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree,	must	resign	from	the	respective	public	office	prior	to	applying	to	become	an	applicant	or	a	member	of,	or	hold	office	in,	a	proposed	political	party	or	a	political	party	registered	under this Decree. (5)	A	public	officer	is	deemed	to	have	vacated	his	or	her	office	mentioned	in	subsection	(2)	immediately	before	the	time	at	which	he	or	she	applies	to	become	an	applicant	or	a	member	of,	or	hold	office	in,	a	proposed	political	party or a political party registered under this Decree. (6)	A	person	disqualified	from	holding	public	office	under	any	written	law	is	not	eligible	to	be	an	applicant,	a	member	or	an	office	holder	of	a	proposed	political	party	or	a	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree. 15.(1) A member of a political party who intends to resign from the political party shall give a written notice prior to his or her resignation to (b) (a) the political party; and the Registrar.
(2) The resignation of the member of the political party shall take effect upon receipt of such notice by the Registrar. (3)	A	person	shall	not	be	a	member	or	an	office	holder	of	more	than	one	proposed	political	party	or	political	party registered under this Decree at the same time. (4)	Any	person	who	applies	to	become	or	becomes	a	member	or	an	office	holder	of	more	than	one	proposed	political party or political party registered under this Decree, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both. (5) A member of a political party may only be expelled from that political party if the member has infringed the constitution of the political party and after the member has been afforded a fair opportunity to be heard in accordance with the internal party disputes resolution mechanisms as prescribed in the constitution of the political party. 16.(1) A political party which has been registered under this Decree shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and have a common seal and shall be capable, in its own name of (b) (c) (a) acquiring and disposing of property; suing and being sued; and
Corporate status of political party and declaration of assets etc.
(2) A political party shall, within 30 days after being registered, submit to the Registrar a written declaration giving details of all assets and expenditure including, all contributions, donations or pledges of contributions or donations, whether in cash or in kind, made or to be made to the initial assets of the political party. (3) A declaration submitted to the Registrar under subsection (2) shall (a) (b) (c) state the sources of all funds and other assets of the political party;
be	supported	by	a	statutory	declaration	made	by	the	registered	officer	of	the	political	party.
(4) The Registrar shall, within 14 days after the receipt of the declaration required under subsection (2), cause the declaration to be published in the Gazette and in the media, and the costs of any such publication shall be paid by or recovered from the political party. (5) Notwithstanding any other penalty prescribed by this Decree or any other written law, the Registrar shall deregister a political party in accordance with section 19, which
submits a declaration which is false in any material particulars.
17.(1)	A	political	party	shall	maintain	at	its	head	office	and	at	each	of	its	district	or	divisional	office	in	the	approved form, an accurate and authentic record of (b) (c) (a) a register of its members in a form prescribed in the Second Schedule; a copy of the constitution of the political party; a copy of the policies and plans of the political party;
particulars of any contribution, donation or pledge of a contribution or donation, whether in cash or in kind, made by the founding members of the political party; estimates of the expenditure of the political party in accordance with the laws relating to public finance	management;
particulars of any property that belongs to the political party and the time and mode of acquisition of the property; the latest audited books of accounts of the political party which shall be in accordance with the principles of accounting having regard to the purpose of this Decree, showing
(iv) indirect contributions to the party and all receipts and disbursements, including income and expenditure transactions of the political party; (v) all	the	financial	transactions	and	records	of	assets	and	liabilities	of	the	political	party;	and (h) such other relevant particulars as the Registrar may direct.
(2) A person, who interferes with, damages or destroys the records of a registered political party commits an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding 5 years or to both. (3) Any person may, during working hours and on payment of the prescribed fee, inspect and obtain copies of the	records	of	a	political	party	maintained	at	its	head	office	or	district	or	divisional	office. (4)	If	a	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree	fails	to	comply	with	subsection	(1),	then	the	office	holders	of	that	political	party	commit	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
18.(1)	The	Registrar	may	issue	a	written	notice	to	the	registered	officer	of	a	political	party	to	furnish	for	inspection by the Registrar, the records required to be maintained under section 17, or such other information as is reasonably required by the Registrar to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Decree. (2) The Registrar may make copies of or take extracts from any records or other information furnished to the Registrar under this section. (1). (3)	The	registered	officer	of	a	political	party	shall	comply	with	a	notice	issued	by	the	Registrar	under	subsection
(4)	If	the	registered	officer	of	a	political	party	fails	to	comply	with	this	section,	he	or	she	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years or to both. 19.(1) The Registrar may deregister a political party if the political party
(a) (b) (c) (e) (d)
has contravened the provisions of this Decree;
does not promote free and fair nomination of candidates; obtained its registration in a fraudulent manner; or
does not adhere to any written law relating to the nomination of candidates; has instigated or participated in the commission of an offence under this Decree. inform the political party, in writing, of the particulars of the breach or contravention;
(2) The Registrar shall, before deregistering a political party (a) (b) (c)
direct the political party to remedy the breach or contravention within 60 days or otherwise show cause why the party should not be deregistered.
(3) The Registrar may suspend the registration of a political party to enable that political party to remedy the breach	specified	in	the	notice	issued	by	the	Registrar	under	subsection	(2). (4) A political party that has been suspended under subsection (3) shall not be entitled to any of the rights and privileges	specified	under	this	Decree.
(6) The Registrar shall deregister a political party which has been declared to be a prohibited organisation under the provisions of any written law. (7) The Registrar shall deregister a political party if the majority of the members of the political party apply to the Registrar for voluntary deregistration of the political party. (8) If a political party is deregistered by the Registrar under this section, the Registrar shall publish a notice of the deregistration in the Gazette and in the media. 20.(1) Where a political party is deregistered under this Decree, no person shall (a) (b) (c) (d)
(5) The Registrar shall deregister a political party which has not remedied the breach or contravention or complied with the Decree as required by the Registrar under subsection (2).
summon	a	meeting	of	members	or	officers	of	the	political	party	other	than	for	the	purposes	of	winding	up the political party or for the purposes of challenging the deregistration of the political party;
attend	or	make	a	person	attend	a	meeting	in	the	capacity	of	a	member	or	officer	of	the	political	party; publish a notice or advertisement relating to a meeting of the political party except for the purposes of a meeting under paragraph (a); invite persons to support the political party;
(e) (f) make	a	contribution	or	loan	to	funds	held	or	to	be	held	by	or	for	the	benefit	of	the	political	party	or	accept a contribution or loan; or
(2) Where a political party that has been deregistered under section 19 had representatives elected to Parliament, such representatives shall continue to serve for the remainder of their term as independents or as members of other political parties. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), where the deregistration of a political party is occasioned by a wilful act or wilful omission of a person who is a member of Parliament, that person shall be deemed to have vacated his or her position as a member of Parliament. PART 3FUNDING AND ACCOUNTS OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES 21.(1) The sources of funds for a political party shall only be from
Sources of funds for a political party and independent candidate
voluntary contributions, donations, bequests and grants from a lawful source, not being from a foreign government,	inter-governmental	or	non-governmental	organisation;	and
(2) The sources of funds for an independent candidate shall only be from
the proceeds of any investment, project, or undertaking in which the independent candidate has an interest.
(3) A political party and an independent candidate for election to Parliament shall disclose to the Registrar full particulars of all funds or other resources obtained by it from any source. (4)	An	official	of	a	political	party	or	other	person	required	to	disclose	to	the	Registrar,	on	behalf	of	a	political	party, the funds or other resources of that political party, who fails to disclose, or gives false information in relation to the funds or resources obtained by the political party, commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to a	fine	equal	to	the	amount	or	the	value	of	the	resources	not	disclosed	or	in	relation	to	which	false	information	was	given, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. (5) An independent candidate for election to Parliament who fails to disclose, or gives false information in relation to the funds or resources obtained in subsection (2), commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to	a	fine	equal	to	the	amount	or	the	value	of	the	resources	not	disclosed	or	in	relation	to	which	false	information	was	given, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
22.(1) A political party or an independent candidate for election to Parliament who receives funds from a foreign	government,	inter-governmental	or	non-governmental	organisation	contrary	to	section	19	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years or to both. (2) Subject to subsection (5), no person shall, in any one year, contribute to a political party or to an independent candidate	for	election	to	Parliament	an	amount	exceeding	$10,000	in	cash. (3)	A	person	who	contravenes	subsection	(2)	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both. (4) A political party or an independent candidate for election to Parliament who receives an amount exceeding the	amount	specified	in	subsection	(2)	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both,	and	in	addition	to	the	penalty	imposed	by	this Decree, forfeit that amount to the State.
(5) Subsection (2) shall not apply to any contribution or donation made by any founding member of the political	party	as	his	or	her	contribution	to	the	initial	assets	of	the	party	within	the	first	year	of	its	existence. (6) It shall be unlawful for any (a) (c) (b) office	holder	of	a	political	party;	political party;
candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate); or
agent, campaigner or servant of a political party or candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate),
to accept any political donation or any contribution unless the political donation or contribution is from an individual. (7) It shall be unlawful for any (a) (c) (b) office	holder	of	a	political	party;	political party;
a political party; a political party;
to accept any political donation or any contribution from a company, a body corporate or any other entity. (8) It shall be unlawful for any company, body corporate or any other entity to make any political donation or any contribution to
any candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate); or
any	office	holder	of	a	political	party;
any agent, campaigner or servant of a political party or candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate).
(9) It shall be unlawful for any company, body corporate or any other entity to make any payment or contribution to any individual for the purpose of that individual making a political donation or a contribution to
(b) (d) (c)
any office	holder	of	a	political	party;
(10) It shall be unlawful for a company, a body corporate or any other entity to make, and for any political party or candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate) to accept from a company, a body corporate or any other entity, any of the following contributions to a political party or a candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate) (a) (b) (c) (d)
the	provision	of	accommodation	(including	office	accommodation),	vehicles,	computers	or	other	equipment for no consideration or inadequate consideration for use solely or substantially for election campaign purposes; the full or part payment of expenditure for advertising by a political party or a candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate); the waiving of all or any part of payment of expenditure for advertising by a political party or candidate for election to Parliament (including an independent candidate); any other goods or services of a kind prohibited by Regulations.
(11) For the purposes of this section, political donation includes donations of money, and provision of goods and services at no charge or at a discounted charge. (12) Any person who contravenes subsections (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) commits an offence and shall be liable upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding	5	years	or	to	both. 23.(1)	A	political	party	shall,	within	30	days	of	the	end	of	its	financial	year,	provide	to	the	Registrar	the	following information in writing (a) the sources of its funds stating (ii) (c) (b) (i) the amount of money received from its members and supporters; and the amount and sources of the donations given to the party;
the income and expenditure of the political party; and the assets and liabilities of the political party.
(2) An independent candidate for election to Parliament shall, within 30 days of the return of the writ (whether elected to Parliament or not) provide to the Registrar the following information in writing, in respect of his or her election campaign (a) (b) (c) the amount of money received by him or her; the income and expenditure. the amount and sources of the donations given to him or her; and
(3) The Registrar shall publish the information received by it under subsections (1) and (2) in the Gazette and in the media, and the costs of any such publication shall be paid by or recovered from the political party and independent candidate for election to Parliament. (4) A political party or independent candidate for election to Parliament who contravenes this section commits an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for	a	term	not	exceeding 5 years or to both. 24.(1) Any person who (a) (b)
Applicants, office holders of political parties and independent candidates to Parliament to declare assets and liabilities
is an applicant for the registration of a proposed political party, in the event that the proposed political party is registered under this Decree; and is	an	office	holder	in,	and	the	registered	officer	of,	a	political	party	registered	under	this	Decree,	shall,	within	30	days	of	the	end	of	each	financial	year	of	the	political	party,	provide	to	the	Registrar	a statement containing the following information in respect of that person and his or her spouse and any children (i) the total assets whether in Fiji or abroad (including money and other property in the possession or under the control of each of them);
(iv)	any	directorships	or	other	office	in	a	corporation	or	other	organisation	whether	in	Fiji	or	abroad	held by each of them; (v) any business transaction entered into by each of them during the period to which the statement relates whether in Fiji or abroad;
(iii) any business connections whether in Fiji or abroad of each of them;
(ii) the total income whether in Fiji or abroad, and the source of such income, received by each of them during the period to which the statement relates;
(vi) any gift received by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad (other than a gift received in the normal course of events from close relatives or a gift received in accordance with custom, in the
course of traditional exchange of gifts or in the case of a gift given on behalf of the nation, if the gift is transferred to the Government as soon as it is possible to do so without giving offence to the giver) during the period to which the statement relates, and the value of those gifts;
(viii) the liabilities incurred, or discharged, by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad during the period to which the statement relates, and the amount of each such liability. (2) Any person who (a) (b) is nominated by a political party as a candidate for election to Parliament; or is nominated as an independent candidate for election to Parliament,
(vii) any assets acquired by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad during the period to which the statement relates; and
shall, within 30 days of such nomination, provide to the Registrar a statement containing the following information in respect of that person and his or her spouse and any children (i) the total assets whether in Fiji or abroad (including money and other property in the possession or under the control of each of them); the total income whether in Fiji or abroad, and the source of such income;
(3) The information provided by a person under subsections (1) and (2) shall be accompanied by a statutory declaration that the information provided is correct. (4) The Registrar shall publish the information received by him or her under subsections (1) and (2) in the Gazette and in the media, and the costs of any such publication shall be paid by or recovered from the political party or from the candidate in relation to information received under subsection (2). (5) Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of subsections (1) or (2), or provides any information that	is	false,	commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$50,000	or	to	a	term	of	imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or to both. 25.(1) A political party shall, at least 30 days before general elections, submit to the Registrar a statement of its assets and liabilities. (2) Notwithstanding any other penalty provided in this Decree or in any other written law, the Registrar shall deregister a political party which (b) (a) fails to comply with this section; or submits a statement which is false in any material particulars.
(iv)	any	directorships	or	other	office	in	a	corporation	or	other	organisation	whether	in	Fiji	or	abroad	held by each of them; any business transaction entered into by each of them in the 5 years preceding the date of nomination whether in Fiji or abroad;
(vi) any gift received by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad (other than a gift received in the normal course of events from close relatives or a gift received in accordance with custom, in the course of traditional exchange of gifts or in the case of a gift given on behalf of the nation, if the gift is transferred to the Government as soon as it is possible to do so without giving offence to the giver) in the 5 years preceding the date of nomination; (vii) any assets acquired by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad in the 5 years preceding the date of nomination; and (viii) the liabilities incurred or discharged by each of them whether in Fiji or abroad in the 5 years preceding the date of nomination, and the amount of each such liability.
(3) The Registrar shall publish the information received by him or her under subsection (1) in the Gazette and in the media, and the costs of any such publication shall be paid by or recovered from the political party. 26.(1) A political party shall keep proper books and records of account of the income, expenditure, assets and liabilities of the political party. (2)	The	accounts	of	every	political	party	shall	be	audited	annually	by	an	auditor	certified	by	the	Fiji	Institute	of	Accountants	and	shall	be	submitted	to	the	Registrar	within	3	months	after	the	end	of	each	financial	year,	who	shall publish the accounts in the Gazette and in the media, and the costs of any such publication shall be paid by or recovered from the political party. (3)	The	Registrar	may	at	any	time	request	the	Auditor-General	to	carry	out	an	audit	of	the	accounts	of	a	political	party. (4)	Any	person	shall	be	entitled	to	inspect	the	audited	accounts	filed	by	a	political	party	and,	upon	payment	of	a fee prescribed by the Registrar, be issued copies of the audited accounts. (5) An auditor who provides a falsely audited account commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$50,000	or	to	a	term	of	imprisonment	not	exceeding	10	years	or	to	both.	PART 4GENERAL PROVISIONS
Offences Audit of political parties accounts
27.(1) A person who (a) (b) (c)
commits	an	offence	and	shall	be	liable	upon	conviction	to	a	fine	not	exceeding	$10,000	or	to	imprisonment	for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. (2)	Where	a	political	party	commits	an	offence	under	this	Decree,	every	office	holder	of	that	political	party	shall also be deemed to have committed the offence. (3) Where an offence under this Decree is committed by a body of persons other than a political party (a) (b) in the case of a body corporate other than a partnership, every director and the secretary of the body corporate shall also be deemed to have committed the offence; and in the case of a partnership, every partner shall be deemed to have committed the offence.
(4) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) or (2) if that person proves to the satisfaction of the court that he or she exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of that act as he or she ought to have exercised, having regard to all the circumstances. (5) Where a political party commits an offence under this Decree, the Registrar shall have the power to (b) (a) suspend the registration of the political party for a period not exceeding 12 months. issue	a	warning	and	require	the	political	party	to	conform	to	this	Decree	within	a	specified	period;	or
(6) Notwithstanding subsection (5), a person who is a member of a political party that has been suspended and is a member of Parliament, shall continue as a member of Parliament for the unexpired term. 28.(1) The Registrar shall, upon the deregistration of a political party or its declaration as a prohibited organisation under any law, make an application to the high Court for the winding up and dissolution of that political party, and the disposition of the property, assets, rights and liabilities of the political party.
fails to furnish particulars or information required to be furnished by a political party or by him or her under this Decree;
makes a statement which he or she knows to be false or which he or she has no reason to believe to be true; or recklessly makes a false statement under this Decree,
case. (2) The high Court shall make such orders as it may deem just and equitable in the circumstances of the 29. The Minister may make Regulations to give effect to the provisions of this Decree. 30.(1) Any person aggrieved with a decision of the Registrar made under this Decree may appeal that decision to the high Court, provided however that no such appeal shall be accepted or entertained by the high Court unless the appeal is lodged in the high Court within 14 days from the date of the decision of the Registrar. (2) The decision of the high Court on any appeal against a decision of the Registrar made under this Decree shall	be	final	and	binding	on	all	parties	and	shall	not	be	subject	to	any	further	appeal.	(3) Subject to the provisions of this Decree, an appeal against a decision of the Registrar to the high Court under subsection (1) shall be dealt with in accordance with the high Court Rules. 31. The Electoral (Registration of Political Parties) Regulations 1991, and section 23(2) of the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Decree 2012 are repealed. GIVEN under my hand this 15th day of January 2013.
Repeal Appeals against the decision of the Registrar Regulations
EPELI NAILATIKAU President of the Republic of Fiji
1. 2.	3. Every political party shall (a) (b) (c) (e) 4. (d) Every political party shall (a) (b) (c) 5. Every political party shall (a) (b) (c)
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR POLITICAL PARTIES Every political party shall strictly observe and comply with this code of conduct. This	code	of	conduct	shall	regulate	the	behaviour	of	members	and	office	holders	of	political	parties,	aspiring	candidates, candidates and their supporters, promote good governance and eradicate political malpractices. respond to the interests, the concerns and the needs of the citizens of Fiji;
respect and uphold the democratic process as they compete for political power so as to implement their policies; promote consensus building in policy decision making on issues of national importance;
respect, uphold and promote democratic values and principles, performing inclusive participation of political party members and accountable representation in governance. respect the right of all persons to participate in the political process;
promote national patriotism and national unity; and
respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law; and
respect,	uphold	and	promote	human	dignity,	equity,	social	justice,	equality	and	non-discrimination. respect and uphold this Decree and any other written law relating to elections and political parties;
respect and uphold their respective political party constitutions, political party election rules, political party nomination rules and any other political party rules and regulations developed and agreed upon in accordance with this code of conduct; respect, uphold and promote good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability;
(d) (e) 6. respect, uphold and promote democratic practices through regular, free, fair and credible elections within the	political	party	and	include	having	democratically	elected	office	holders	and	political	party	organs;	and perform transparency and accountability in all party policies, rules, structures, procedures and performance. engage in or encourage violence by its members or supporters; accept or use illicit or illegal money;
A political party shall not (a) (b) (c) (e) (d)
engage	in	influence	peddling,	bribery	or	any	other	form	of	corruption; accept or use public resources other than those allocated to the political party; and
advocate	hatred	that	constitutes	ethnic	or	religious	incitement	or	vilification	of	others	or	any	other	communal antagonism.
1. The name of the political party and any abbreviation. 2. 3. The objects of the political party.
4.	Clearly	defined	vision,	mission,	guiding	principles	and	values. 5.	The	physical	and	postal	address	of	the	registered	office. 6. Membership requirements including (a) (b) (c) (e) (f) 7. (d) the eligibility criteria;
subscription fees for joining the political party and for being a member of the political party; the criteria for resignation from political party membership or ceasing to be a member; the rights and duties of members of the political party;
membership	details	to	be	contained	in	the	register	including	identification	details;	and
the procedure for conducting the annual general meeting or the other general meetings of the political party, including matters which may only be decided upon by a meeting of the political party members.
The forming of political party branches and their roles and responsibilities. (a) (b)
8.	The	financial	structure	and	system	including
the	roles	and	responsibilities	of	individual	political	party	officials	with	regard	to	the	finances	of	the	political	party;
9. The general organisation structure and management of the political party. 10.	The	disciplinary	measures	against	a	member	or	official	of	a	political	party	including (a) (b) (c) (d) the methods and procedure of disciplinary action; possible disciplinary actions and reasons; consequences of each action. criteria for various disciplinary actions; and
11. The right to inspect the books or list of members of the political party by a member of the political party or a member of the public. 12.	The	authorised	officials	of	a	political	party,	including	the	names	of	officials	who	are	authorised	to	sign,	any	of	the following, on behalf of the political party (a) (b) documents presented to the Registrar including membership register, mergers, and other reports to the Registrar;
the	audited	annual	accounts	and	financial	statements	of	the	political	party;
any report or document of the political party required under this Decree or any other written law; and the	nomination	certificates	for	any	nomination	or	election	of	a	member	of	the	political	party.
13. The policy documents which the political party will develop and on which the political party will perform, including the manner and procedures in which they will be developed, approved and implemented. 14. The policy reporting documents and their regularity which the political party will produce, including the manner and the procedures in which they will be developed, approved and publicised. 15. Asset management policies and procedures, the custody and investment of the funds and property of the political party, and the designation of the persons responsible for them. 16. The political party nomination rules and regulations with respect to elections of the party and rules governing the preparation of party lists. 17. Provisions for the amendment of the name, constitution, and rules of the political party. 18. Rules for mergers including (a) (b)
the procedure and guidelines for such mergers as approved by an annual general meeting of the political party. provisions on the disposal of the property of the political party; and
19. Provisions on dissolution of the political party, including (a) (b)
20. Internal party dispute resolution mechanism.
ThIRD SChEDULE MAP OF ALL ThE FOUR DIVISIONS OF FIJI
ou C pf o rp ou in tfi ve
Price:	$1.75	S.	NAVUNILAWA,	Acting Government Printer, Suva, Fiji2013 Official Printer Since 1883 10/FGG/131,000
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