The Electoral Commission (EC), at its meeting held on 11 December 2025, deliberated on matters relating to Independent Members of Parliament (MPs) and their involvement in the formation of new political parties.
EC Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili stated that the EC thoroughly considered the matter and resolved as follows:
1. The Commission notes that there are no provisions in the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012, the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, or the Electoral Act 2014 that explicitly restrict Members of Parliament from joining other political parties or proposed political parties.
2. In accordance with Section 20(2) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, where a political party has been deregistered and has representatives already elected to Parliament, such representatives “shall continue to serve the remainder of their term as independent members of Parliament or as members of other political parties.”
3. Therefore, the EC confirms that Members of Parliament from a deregistered political party must serve the remainder of their term either as Independent MPs or as members of other political parties. Such Members of Parliament may also be involved in the formation of a new political party, provided that they are members of only one political party at any given time, in accordance with the law.
“The EC reiterates its commitment to upholding the Constitution and electoral laws of the Republic of Fiji, and to providing clarity on electoral and political party matters in the public interest,” said Justice Ratuvili.