Nine candidates have been confirmed by the Vanuatu Electoral Office to contest the vacant seat left by the former Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman on Tanna today.
Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman. Photo: OFC via Phototek
The Daily Post newspaper said it remained to be seen if political alliances would come into play to determine who is going to win the by-election.
There are representatives from the Iauko Group, Vanuaaku Pati, Leaders Party, Leleon Vanua Democratic Party, Rural development Party, Union Moderate Party, and Vanuatu National Democratic Party.
There are also two independents running.
The biggest competition is touted to be between the Vanuaaku Pati's Harry Iatika Nakat Namak and Jimmy Nipo Nanuman from the Leaders Party.
The latter is controlled by the Infrastructure Minister Jotham Napat who is also from Tanna.