The new Political Party (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosure) Decree 2013 came into effect on Friday whereby existing 16 political parties in Fiji have been given 28 days to meet up with the criteria of the new Decree.

The Political Parties Decree highlights political 'naivety' and lack of basic understanding of political party functions and organization by the author of the Decree, said United People's Party (UPP) leader Mick Beddoes.

Beddoes said the new Decree was 'draconian' and ' counterproductive' to encouraging political activity which was an essential part of any thriving democracy.

Minister for Elections Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this decree required a full disclosure of the assets, income, liabilities, donations and other financial information of both the political parties and the politicians.

However, Beddoes said that the Decree was consistent with the Governments 'do as I say, not as I do' approach and it was laced with ulterior motives in its design. He said the UPP would certainly have difficulty complying with the 5,000 members in the next 28 days, Beddoes told radio station Fiji Village on Friday.

Beddoes said that this Decree would disenfranchise certain sectors in Fijian communities such as union leaders and others from being activate participants in Fiji's political process.

National Federation Party general secretary Pramod Rae said he was in doubt whether his party would be able to comply with the Registration of Political Parties Decree.

The severity of the new political parties decree was a sign of the government's fear, said Labor Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

He said the time limit set to satisfy various requirements for the re-registration of current political parties was designed to prevent them from re-registering.

In the meantime Fiji's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) party with the largest following was yet to make a decision on its new leader. SDL was being led by former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase who was serving a one year sentence after being convicted of six counts of abuse of office and three counts of discharge of duty when he was the former director of Fijian Holdings Limited ( FHL).

The hearing date for Qarase's appeal against sentence and conviction has been set for Feb 25.

However, under the new political party registration decree 2013 any person who has been sentenced to six months or more would be disqualified to be a member of a party. SDL executive member Pio Tabaiwalu said their party hoped that Qarase's appeal would come out positive but if not then they would be forced to make a decision.