A supplementary affidavit by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry is expected to be filed in the High Court Civil Registry in Suva tomorrow.

The case was jointly filed by FLP and Unity Fiji against the Speaker of Parliament, Government, and Attorney-General, and was called before Chief Justice Kamal Kumar yesterday.

FLP and Unity Fiji’s lawyer Sevuloni Valenitabua said Mr Chaudhry’s affidavit detailed the submissions they presented to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, challenging the amendments to the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act of 2013 specifically Section 30 and 30(a).

They claim the amendments were unconstitutional and invalid because it removed the right of an aggrieved party to appeal the decisions of the Registrar of Political Parties and the Electoral Commission to the High Court.

Lawyers Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima appeared on the instructions of the three defendants and sought 21 days to respond to the affidavits.

Mr Sharma has until March 25, 2022 to respond while Mr Sevuloni has until April 8, 2022 to reply, if needed.

The case was adjourned to April 20, 2022 for further directions to be given.

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