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\par At Suva
\par Civil Jurisdiction
\par 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 CIVIL ACTION NO. 214 OF 1992
\par 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794\charrsid7174794 Between:}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 SAKEASI BUTADROKA}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794\charrsid7174794 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Plaintiff
\par 
\par - and -
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 1. ATTORNEY GENERAL}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794\charrsid7174794 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 1st Defendant
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 2. ELECTORAL COMMISSION}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794\charrsid7174794 
\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 2nd Defendant
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\par Mr. T. Fa for the Plaintiff
\par Mr. F. Jitoko Solicitor General for the Defendants
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\par In this application the plaintiff who is president of a political party which hopes to field candidates in the impending general elections and who is supported in the application by senior members and officials of no le
ss than 4 other political parties who also hope to field candidates in the general election, seeks a declaration that }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Regulation 15(10)}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  of the }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Electoral}{
\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  (Conduct of Elections)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  }{
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\par }{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
\par It is unfortunate that the time constraints for which the plaintiff must bear the larger share of the responsibility does not permit me to give full and complete reasons for the ruling I must make }{
\b\f0\ul\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 or}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
 for the Attorney General and Electoral Commission to give the Court the assistance it would have liked to have had on the matter.
\par 
\par The arguments submitted and the constitutional issues raised are important and fundamental to the very essence of our democratic society which by the 7th preamble to the Constitution envisages inter alia }{
\b\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 "... a democratic society in which all peoples may to the full extent of their capacity play some part in the institutions of the national life and thereby develo
p and maintain due deference and respect for each other and the rule of law"}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 .
\par 
\par One such institution of the highest importance must be the elected Parliament of this country the representatives for which elections will be held next month.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Regulation 15(10)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  of the }{
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\par 
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"No nomination shall be valid unless accompanied by the sum of $1,000 in legal tender or in a banker's cheques."}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
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\par It is made pursuant to powers granted to the}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  Electoral Commission}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  pursuant
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 which in terms empowers the Commission to make regulations for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Constitutions generally and in particular to fix}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794 :}{
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\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 .
\par 
\par In my view in fixing any fees the}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  Commission}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
 is required to bear in mind the general purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Constitution which includes the rights and freedoms of individuals, and whilst unlike in other Constitutions where there is a clear ex
press right to contest or stand for public office, nevertheless in my view such a right is fundamental in a democratic society and of the essence of a persons right to vote as envisaged by }{
\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Section 50(1)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  of the Constitution and the right to freely associate
 without hindrance.
\par 
\par In my view restrictions on candidacy for elective office impairs and hinders the right of voters to cast a ballot for the candidate of their choice }{\b\f0\ul\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 and}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  the right of persons to associate in the expression of views in a political campaign.
\par 
\par From the evidence before me which includes the oral testimony of the chairman of the}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  Electoral Commission}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  I can say that whatever sum may be reasonable}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
 (which is not a matter this Court can assess)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  this Court is firmly of the view that the sum of }{
\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 $1,000}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
 is so unreasonably high as to deny the right of a large proportion of eligible citizens of this country the opportunity to participate as candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
\par 
\par Accordingly I hold that }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Regulation 15(10)}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  of the }{
\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Electoral}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  (Control of Elections)}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 Regulation 1992}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  in so far as it seeks to impose a deposit of }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 $1,000}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  on candidates contesting the election is unconstitutional and to that extent cannot stand and is accordingly declared to be void.
\par 
\par The practical effect of this decision is that subject to the}{\i\f0\expnd0\expndtw-2\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794  Electoral Commission}{\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
 fixing another sum candidates in the forthcoming general election are NOT required to pay $1,000 as a deposit on filing their nominations.
\par 
\par The court will in due course give full reasons for this decision.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7174794 {\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7174794 {\b\f0\ul\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 JUDGE}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7174794 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 
\par }{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268\charrsid7174794 At Suva,
\par 30th April, 1992.}{\b\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13793268 
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx-720\hyphpar0\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7174794 {\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid3162350\charrsid3162350 Hbc0214d.92s}{
\f0\expnd0\expndtw-3\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7174794\charrsid3162350 
\par }}