In Vanuatu voters have been choosing new councils in Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea provinces.
Shefa Province secretary general, Michel Kalworai, says his province has for the first time got 10 women candidates contesting alongside males.
This comes after agreement to 25 percent of the council seats for women.
Mr Kalworai says he has asked the Department of Local Authorities to consider drafting a by-law to make it mandatory for all provinces to reserve a certain number of seats for women.
