All Political parties hoping to contest the next elections will have to comply with new registration laws.
16 political parties are already registered with new ones already emerging in the lead up to the 2014 elections.
Elections Minister – Aiyaz Sayed-Kkaiyum says the requirements placed on Political parties in the now defunct Electoral Act – aren’t transparent enough.
“The current threshold for the registration of political parties is very low. There is no requirement for example like in other countries where you have subscribers from around the country to make up a political party. We are also looking at requirements where political parties must have a code of conduct like they have in Kenya.”
Sayed-Khaiyum says some parties which have been lying dormant for years, will also be looked at.
“We also need to look at new rules pertaining to the continued registration of political parties. Essentially the plan is that new political parties will have to apply under the new rules once they are established. And the existing registered political parties obviously can continue as long as they can comply with the new registration rules.”
The new Electoral Act is likely to include provisions on conduct – which require candidates to meet the highest standards of honesty, integrity and credibility.
