The Registrar of Political Parties in Fiji, Ana Mataiciwa, has declined the application for the proposed NextGen Alliance Party’s registration. This decision was primarily based on the party’s failure to meet the minimum membership requirements in several divisions. While the party submitted a total of 7,716 names, only 4,458 were verified, falling below the required minimum of 5,000 members.
Upon review, Ms. Mataiciwa noted specific shortfalls in membership: the Central Division required 2,000 verified members but had only 1,828; the Western Division needed 1,750 members but managed to verify only 1,482; and the Northern Division, which required 1,000 members, recorded just 882. On a positive note, the Eastern Division exceeded its requirement, registering 266 verified members against a minimum of 250.
Ms. Mataiciwa explained that the application has not been approved, and the representatives of the NextGen Alliance Party have been formally informed of the unmet legal standards. She underlined the importance of adhering to established legal protocols to maintain transparency and accountability within Fiji’s electoral system, ensuring that all applications are evaluated consistently and in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, the proposed party has the right to appeal this decision within 14 days of receiving the formal notification. The Fijian Elections Office reiterated its commitment to assisting applicants in understanding and following the registration process, thereby upholding the integrity of the political framework in the country.
The NextGen Alliance Party submitted its application for registration on November 21, 2025, indicating their initiative to contribute to the political landscape in Fiji. Despite this setback, the appeal process offers an opportunity for the party to address the issues identified and potentially move forward in the registration process.