Vanuatu's President (centre), Nikenike Vurobaravu dissolved parliament ahead of a motion of no-confidence in Charlot Salwai. Photo: RNZ / Hilaire Bule
The Vanuatu Electoral Office has confirmed that 52 seats, across 18 constituencies, will be contested by 217 candidates, seven of which are women.
Originally set for 14 January, the election date has been moved back to 16 January, due to the 17 December 7.3 earthquake.
Fourteen people were killed in the quake, and 265 others were injured.
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.
Such motions follow a trend of instability in Vanuatu's leadership, as the country has had four Prime Ministers in three years.
Lionel Kaluat, Secretary General of the Shefa Provincial Government Council, has announced to potential voters that only individuals with valid ID cards and whose names appear on the electoral roll will be allowed to vote.
Kaluat stressed that the practice of allowing unregistered voters to vote, as had been permitted in previous elections, would no longer be tolerated.
Kaluat emphasized that strict measures will be in place to ensure fairness and adherence to electoral laws.
He has put the onus on area administrators to ensure that polling booths across Shefa Province are ready for voters, on election day.
Candidates are to conclude their campaigns on 13 January.
Kaluat has urged political parties to conduct their campaigns responsibly and not to misuse their camps, attempt to manipulate or unduly influence voters, or any other illegal practices.
-RNZ Pacific/VBTC
