26 Nov 2002

176 candidates to contest Kiribati election

11:46 am on 26 November 2002

The Chief electoral officer in Kiribati Betiota Tooki says 176 candidates are to contest the election of the 40 members in the Kiribati parliament.

Mr Tooki says conclusive results of the assembly election will be available by Friday night.

Once the successful candidates have been sworn in, they will nominate up to four members to run for President, with that poll to take place on January 30th.

Meanwhile Radio Kiribati reports that the Public Service Office has repeated a warning to all government workers to stay out of politics.

The warning comes amid concern from several candidates over the involvement of some public employees in the election process.

The Permanent Secretary Tebuai Uaai says all government employees are prohibited from campaigning, supporting or canvassing support for any candidate.