In Vanuatu, a Vanuaaku Pati councillor, Paul Avock, has been elected the next mayor of Port Vila unopposed.
The new mayor has the support of eight councillors; three from the Vanuaaku Pati, three from the National United Party, one from Vanuatu Republican Party and one from the National Community Association.
Meanwhile, the opposition bloc is reported to have filed an application to the court to seek legal clarification about former councillors who have been re-elected to the council -- including the former mayor, Patrick Crowby -- who still owe the council money.
Under the law, anyone who owes money for more than two months is not eligible to contest an election.
