Police move irks lawyer

THERE is no law that stops a proposed political party gathering membership signatures in any place or at any time outside of an election period, says prominent Suva lawyer Richard Naidu.

Mr Naidu’s comments come after police stopped supporters of former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka from collecting signatures for his proposed political party at a public event at Ratu Sukuna Park in Suva last Saturday.

“The police had no right to prevent political activists from gathering signatures at Sukuna Park, whether during a concert or otherwise or to require them to leave the concert,” Mr Naidu said.

Mr Rabuka said police should be mindful of their powers and not misuse it. Police spokeswoman Savaira Tabua said the team was removed because the park was used for STC Yasa Appeal Concert and they did not seek approval from the organisers.

She said police acted on a complaint that was lodged by a member of the public.

PROMINENT Suva lawyer Richard Naidu has criticised the actions of Fiji police officers in stopping supporters of former prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka from collecting signatures for his proposed political party at a public event in Suva last Saturday.

The group was collecting signatures during a STC Yasa appeal concert at Ratu Sukuna Park when they were told to leave.

Mr Naidu said outside of an election period, no law stopped a proposed political party gathering membership signatures in any place or at any time.

“The police had no right to prevent political activists from gathering signatures at Sukuna Park, whether during a concert or otherwise or to require them to leave the concert,” Mr Naidu said.

Apart from the legal side, Mr Naidu said it also came down to one’s interpretation of the incident.

“Some people may think it is inappropriate to seek signatures for a proposed political party during a benefit concert while others may have no problem with it; we are all entitled to our own point of view.”

Mr Rabuka said police should be mindful of their powers and not misuse it.

Responding to Mr Rabuka’s statement, police spokeswoman Savaira Tabua said the team was removed because the park was used for the STC Yasa appeal concert and they did not seek approval from the organisers.

She further said a complaint was lodged by a member of the public and they acted in regards to the complaint filed.