Pacific / Vanuatu

Former Vanuatu PM ruled ineligible to stand in upcoming election

09:14 am on 13 March 2020

Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman has been ruled ineligible to stand in this month's general election.

Vanuatu Deputy Prime Minister, Joe Natuman. Photo: OFC via Phototek

Mr Nautman had planned to stand in the Tanna constituency under the Vanua'aku Pati ticket next week.

However, the electoral office rejected his application to run, because he is still serving a suspended sentence for which he lost his parliamentary seat in 2018.

Mr Natuman sought a review of the rejection but the Supreme Court declined to hear it.

His two year sentence finishes on 16 March - three days before the election.