1 Sep 2008

Record number of candidates to contest Vanuatu election

10:14 am on 1 September 2008

A record number of candidates will contest tomorrow's election in Vanuatu, which some candidates say is a reflection of dissatisfaction with veteran politicians.

341 candidates will vie for Parliament's 52 seats, in 17 constituencies, for a four year term.

Tony Wright, a member of one of the main opposition parties, the Union of Moderate Parties, says they want to cut down on government spending.

He says the number of political positions in the Prime Minister's office has increased from 14 to 32, but it is no more productive.

"The people of Vanuatu are tired of living with that system, and they want a change. The system is that the government has not found a solution to upgrade the lives of the people of Vanuatu."

Tony Wright says the government has proclaimed 7.5 percent economic growth, but only businesses have felt that, not the people of the islands.