Fiji’s largest political party was deregistered on Monday, less than two months after its former leader and former prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, was jailed on charges of obstructing justice.
The opposition party, Fiji First, held the most seats in the country’s 55-seat parliament but was ousted from power in 2022 by a three-party coalition.
Since losing the election, the party has been in turmoil.
Bainimarama was jailed earlier this year after a court found he used his political influence while leading the country to cover up a police investigation.
Deep divisions over the once-dominant party’s policies and future direction have caused further turmoil, leading to several senior members leaving the party in an abrupt mass resignation last month.
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FijiFirst was warned in June that the constitution needed to be amended to provide for proper mechanisms for resolving internal disputes.
However, with no executives available, FijiFirst was unable to act by the June 28 deadline.
The Fiji Electoral Commission said on Monday it had deregistered 26 members of parliament with “immediate effect” because the party was no longer complying with legal requirements.
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These politicians will now attend Parliament as independents.
Fiji First had 14 days to appeal the decision, Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataisiwa said in a statement.
Bainimarama was jailed in May after being convicted of obstructing a police investigation into allegations of corruption at a Fiji university.
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The former military commander seized power in a bloodless coup in 2006 and remains a popular figure in the South Pacific nation.
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