This is after serious concerns were raised about the party funds during its annual general meeting at Sila Village, Nadroga on Saturday.

As per the party constitution, all sitting members of parliament are required to pay $200 from their fortnight pay towards the party coffers.

During the event, it was highlighted that only four of the 21 MPs paid their dues.

“The party’s constitution allows such an agreement for candidates when they enter into parliament, they will be paying $200 every fortnight,” said party leader Viliame Gavoka.

It’s only right because the party is responsible for the campaigns and helping them to get their seats.

“If we do it well with 21 of our members.”

It translates to $109,200 a year and it’s serious money and you need it in politics because it is very expensive.

But those are the realities of the time right now.

“But going forward, yes, we’ll be enforcing these strictly.”

Mr Gavoka said there were some members such as Simione Rasova who are under probe with FICAC.

“It is getting very costly to pay for the lawyers and all.”

Rasova came to me and said that he can be exempted from paying,” he said.

The party is troubled by the ongoing cases with FICAC where some party members have ended up in court and jail.

“We are trying to engage in politics, exercising our democratic rights and then these are the kinds of surprises they throw at you,” he said.

Also in the meeting, it was confirmed that the management board will grant a date to have a special general meeting which will include the election of the office-bearers.

Meanwhile, for the first time since the party was established, its AGM was held in the west.

Its AGMs were usually known to be hosted around the capital city.

Only in 2019 was it hosted in Savusavu.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj