30 May 2002

Vanuatu Electoral commissioner refusing to comment to media

8:45 am on 30 May 2002

Vanuatu's Electoral Commissioner, Sethy Regenvanu, is refusing to make any comment on allegations of fraud following the elections.

The opposition leader, Barak Sope, says he's taking legal action in an effort to overturn election results in at least three seats, alleging double voting.

There have also been calls for the resignation of the commission.

But, Mr Regenvanu has been unavailable to the media for the past three days and now says he won't be making any comment on the issue.

Mr Sope's Melanesian Progressive party wants to know how a recount relegated its candidate in the seven-seat Santo constituency, Vatambe Reme, to eighth place.

He was second when the declarations were made last week but after the Union of Moderate Parties complained, the Electoral Commission said an error of 401 votes had been discovered.