New political party rules to strengthen transparency, Electoral Commission says

The Electoral Commission is developing a new set of rules and procedures for political parties in a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and consistency ahead of Fiji's next general election.

Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the framework would formally document procedures that had been discussed for years but had never been clearly set out.

"We have been talking about this since 2014," Justice Ratuvili said.

"It doesn't mean there have been no subsidiary regulations. There have been no rules, so we are really excited. The Commission will continue developing new procedures for more legitimate functions."

Justice Ratuvili said the commission was reviewing the rules governing political parties to ensure they aligned with Fiji's legal framework and provided greater clarity for all stakeholders.

He said the commission had already advised the relevant authorities of the process and would continue refining the procedures before they were made public.

"These will be published on our website. This is not the first time that the Electoral Commission has developed rules and procedures," he said.

Justice Ratuvili said the initiative reflected the commission's commitment to strengthening public confidence in Fiji's electoral system.

"This reinforces our commitment to transparency, consistency and accountability," he said.

"We encourage all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with these rules and procedures once they are published."

He said the commission would continue engaging with political parties and other stakeholders as it finalised the framework.

The new rules and procedures are expected to provide clearer guidance on how the Electoral Commission carries out its responsibilities, particularly in relation to the administration and oversight of political parties, as Fiji prepares for future elections.