The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified that Members of Parliament (MPs, including Independent MPs) are not prohibited under existing electoral laws from joining or helping to form new political parties.

This follows a deliberation held at its meeting on 11 December 2025.

EC Chairperson Justice Usaia Ratuvili said the Commission examined the legal framework governing MPs and political parties and found no statutory restrictions preventing MPs from joining other political parties or proposed political parties.

According to the EC, the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012, the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, and the Electoral Act 2014 contain no explicit provisions barring MPs from changing party affiliation or participating in the establishment of new political parties.

The Commission also highlighted Section 20(2) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, which applies when a political party is deregistered.

Under this provision, MPs who were elected under a deregistered party are entitled to serve the remainder of their parliamentary term either as independent MPs or as members of other political parties.

Based on this legal position, the EC confirmed that MPs from deregistered political parties may continue their parliamentary service as independents or join other political parties.

The Commission further clarified that such MPs may be involved in the formation of a new political party, provided they are members of only one political party at any given time, in compliance with the law.

Justice Ratuvili said the clarification was issued in the public interest, reaffirming the EC’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and electoral laws of the Republic of Fiji and to providing guidance on electoral and political party matters where uncertainty arises.

The EC’s decision is expected to provide clarity amid ongoing discussions about party deregistration, independent MPs, and the formation of new political movements within Parliament.