9 Jul 2013

Vanuatu court wants proof in election challenge

3:01 pm on 9 July 2013

A Vanuatu Supreme Court judge has asked for proof that more than 400 people who live in Port Vila and vote in Tanna constituency could affect Port Vila's election results.

The hearing follows a petition by the Attorney General, Ishmael Kalsakau, who unsuccessfully contested last year's general election in Port Vila.

Yesterday, Mr Kalsakau's lawyer, Gordon Avock, told the court that people from Tanna have registered to vote in Port Vila while also having proxy votes in their home islands.

He says this means some people voted in two constituencies.

But the Electoral Commission's lawyer argued that these people have legally exercised their democratic right to vote in Port Vila and he doesn't see how their votes in Efate and Tanna could affect results in Port Vila.

If the court agrees with Mr Kalsakau, last year's Port Vila election results could be declared invalid and six MPs, including the Prime Minister Moana Carcasses and his deputy, Edward Natapei, could lose their seats.