SODELPA set for first big meeting June 9, 2013 | Filed under: Fiji News | Posted by: newsroom By ROSI DOVIVERATA The Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) will hold its first official meeting on Thursday June 20 at the Fijian Teachers Hall in Knolly Street, Suva. This was confirmed by party Secretary General, Pio Tabaiwalu. On the agenda is the confirmation of an interim managerial board. “Because we are a new, the interim board will come in to provide some sort of structure for the party,” he said. The board will consist of 8 to 10 members. “The normal and previous process was to have the branches recommend names during the meeting. But that has been impossible with the current set-up. “ Expressions of Interest Once confirmed, the management board will issue an expression of interest for the candidate selection committee. “We are considering to bring people from outside to be part of our candidate selection committee. “We want neutrality,” Mr Tabaiwalu said. Formalise appointments The meeting will also formalise the appointment of current party officials. The current party president is the Gone Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreket, Ro Teimumu Kepa. There are two Vice Presidents, Ratu Lote Yavuca and Silivenusi Waqausa. Treasurer is Ruci Karuru while Mr Tabaiwalu is secretary-general. The five officials were appointed as a requirement of the Political Parties Registration Decree. Laisenia Qarase Former Prime Minister and Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) leader, Laisenia Qarase, is also expected to be at the meeting. Mr Qarase, since returning from prison, has been away on his village of Mavana in Vanuabalavu. According to the draft constitution, Mr Qarase will not be able to hold any official position within SODELPA, nor stand for election. This is because of his conviction for abuse of office. Mr Tabaiwalu said: “But that does not stop him from supporting the party. In fact we will be able to gain much from Mr Qarase’s political knowledge and experience – not only for the party but for Fiji as well. “He will be very useful in SODELPA’s mentoring process.” Branch setup Mr Tabaiwalu added that SODELPA’s branch set-up is going ahead as planned all around the country. “We’ve had a lot of interest from the public and we are progressing well so far.” Declaration of assets On Friday before the midday deadline, SODELPA officials presented a written declaration giving details of all assets and expenditure including, all contributions, donations or pledges of contributions or donations, whether in cash or in kind, made or to be made to the initial assets of the political party. This declaration was presented to the Register of Political Parties office in Suvavou House. Party officials and – in the future party candidates will also have to disclose personal incomes, assets, business connections, directorships, gifts, and liabilities. On May 3, SODELPA was officially registered under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Decree. Since then, SODELPA has been able to operate, function, represent and hold themselves out to be a political party. The National Federation Party and Fiji Labour Party were also officially registered on the same day. SODELPA applied for registration with 8825 member signatures, 136 of which were discounted as anomalies. Total remaining, 8689. The June 20 meeting will get under way at 2pm.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 22:53:10 +0000
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