19 Sep 2014

Rift in Vanuatu opposition over presidential vote

12:48 pm on 19 September 2014

An opposition MP in Vanuatu, Christophe Emelee, says there is a need to remove the leader of the opposition, Moana Carcasses, and his deputy, Serge Vohor.

Mr Emelee says he and other opposition MPs have not been told of a deal made by the leadership to back a former clerk of the parliament, Lino Bulekuli dit Saksak, to become the new president.

The Electoral College, made up of all the MPs and the provincial governors, is to meet for the fourth time in three days this afternoon.

Mr Emelee says the rank and file in the opposition has not been informed about the negotiations Mr Carcasses and Mr Vohor have had with the government over backing Mr Bulekuli dit Saksak.

He says the duo should go because they have shown a lack of the respect for the other opposition members.

Mr Emelee has been backing the Banks/Torres candidate for president, Baldwin Lonsdale.

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Photo: RNZ