A successful candidate in the recent Vanuatu election may lose his seat because he contested the election while on a suspended prison sentence.
Sanick Assang, who was an MP in the previous government, was convicted last year on two counts of domestic violence and other offences.
Photo: Daily Post
The Supreme Court ruled that his two-year sentence be suspended for two years.
Our correspondent in Vanuatu says the Representation of the People Act states a person is only eligible to stand if someone is not under sentence, including a suspended sentence, for crimes committed.
Elected representatives to be sworn in next week
Meanwhile, the clerk of parliament, Raymond Manuake, has summoned the newly-elected MPs to parliament on November 4.
Manuake said on the agenda there are the elections of the new speaker of parliament, first, second and third deputy speakers and the chairmen of parliamentary committees.
As per tradition, once elected, the new speaker will conduct the election of the new prime minister, who will then appoint his 13 ministers.
Earlier this week, the 30 members of parliament who are currently camped at the Aguana Resort on Efate, held a media conference to announce they are ready to elect a new prime minister next week.
Caretaker deputy prime minister and the president of the Union of Moderate Parties, Ishmael Kalsakau, says the Aguana Resort camp remains solid despite claims some of the MPs have also signed with the other group hopeful of forming ao governing coalition.
Other key figures also included in the Aguana group are former prime ministers, Sato Kilman and Charlot Salwai, outgoing opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu.
The caretaker prime minister Bob Loughman, who initiated the snap election to avoid a vote of no confidence, is with the other camp.
The 30 MPs at Aguana are from eight political parties but the group has assured local media that it can form a stable coalition.