Vanuatu's President (centre), Nikenike Vurobaravu dissolved parliament ahead of a motion of no-confidence in Charlot Salwai. Photo: RNZ / Hilaire Bule
One-hundred-eighty-one candidates have qualified so far to contest Vanuatu's January 16 snap elections, the Vanuatu Electoral Commission says.
For those candidates who names have yet to be approved, they have until midday on January 6 to finalise their paperwork according to the commission.
The candidates are contesting 52 seats across 18 constituencies.
The date for the election was moved from January 14 to January 16 following the 7-point-3-quake there.
The political parties that have the highest number of candidates in the snap election are:
- Vanuaku Party
- Union of Moderate Parties
- Leaders Party
- Reunification Movement for Change
- Kraon mo Jastis Party and Rural Development Party
The Vanuatu electoral office says six women will contest the 2025 elections.
- Nadia Kanegai - Independent (Ambae Constituency)
- Vanessa Molisa - Laverwo Party (Maewo Constituency
- Rose Amambath - Oyoramada Muvmen (Epi Constituency)
- Madeleine Tom - Vanuatu Progressive Development Party (Sheperd's Constituency)
- Marie Loise Paulette - Green Confederation (Port Vila Constituency)
- Nora Wells - Vanuatu Self Reliance Party (Port Vila Constituency)
The snap election was triggered when the president dissolved parliament ahead of a motion of no-confidence in the now caretaker prime minister Charlot Salwai.
Vanuatu has had four prime ministers in three years.
