6 Jul 2004

Ni-Vanuatu queue to vote in the country's national election

3:36 pm on 6 July 2004

People in Vanuatu are lining up in long queues to vote in the country's general election.

More than 2-hundred and 20 candidates are standing for the 52 seats.

Our correspondent, Len Garae, reports.

"Here in the capital, Port Vila, for the first time, it is clear that many, many more people are interested to use their constitutional rights and democratic rights to vote. Many more people have turned out to vote and there are long queues in most of the polling stations. And, that according to observers, is a very, very positive indication that there is a change in the atmosphere, and people want to see change, and now they're not just talking about it but they want to do something about it, so they're turning out in scores to vote."

Len Garae, reporting from Port Vila.

Polling stations close later this afternoon and some results are expected tonight .