HOPE has been de-registered as a Political Party with immediate effect following continued breach of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding & Disclosures) Act 2013 [“Act”].

On 12 April 2021, the Registrar of Political Parties found that HOPE was in breach of section 26(2) of the Act. Consequently, to ensure compliance with the law, the Registrar, in accordance with section 19(1) of the Act, issued the party with a Notice to remedy the breach and in exercise of the discretion under section 19 (3), the Registrar suspended the party until it had remedied the same.

In the same notice, in accordance with section 19(2) of the Act, the Registrar clearly outlined the particulars of the breach and then directed that the party remedy the breach within 60 days or show cause why the party should not be de-registered.

At the end of the 60 days period and up until today, it is noted that HOPE has not remedied the Breach and neither has it shown cause to the Registrar why it should not be deregistered.

On 14 June 2021, the Registrar made enquiries via email with the Registered Officer of the party on the status of the compliance.

It was noted in the response that the party was unable to remedy the breach and it needed more time due to COVID-19 restrictions.

It is noted that as at 10 February 2022, the party has failed to submit the audited accounts for the year 2020 as required under section 26(2) of the Act.

Given the above, HOPE has failed to remedy the breach despite being given the requisite time under the law as well as additional time (approximately more than 6 months) in light of COVID-19 limitations.

Section 19 (5) of the Act states: “The Registrar shall deregister a political party which has not remedied the breach or contravention or complied with the Act as required by the Registrar under subsection (2).” 

“Noting that as at the date of this Letter, the Party has not remedied the breach, and therefore, in exercising section 19(5) of the Act, HOPE is hereby de-registered.” Said Mr. Saneem, Registrar of Political Parties.”

Office holders of the Party have been reminded of section 20 of the Act which states: 20.-(1) Where a political party is deregistered under this Act, no person shall/1-

(a) 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;

(b) attend or make a person attend a meeting in the capacity of a member or officer of the political party;

(c) publish a notice or advertisement relating to a meeting of the political party except for the purposes of a meeting under paragraph (a);

(d) invite persons to support the political party;

(e) 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

(f) give a guarantee in respect of such funds.

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