A runner-up in last month's snap election in Vanuatu says voters are too easily seduced by bribes and their mentality needs to change.
Female candidate Mackin Valia, from the Graon Mo Jastis Pati, missed out on the two seats in the Epi constituency.
People queue at a polling station in rural Efate, Vanuatu, for the 2016 elections. Photo: RNZI / Jamie Tahana
She said it was difficult to compete with rivals who prior to the campaign went out with material for potential voters.
"Like giving out tonnes of cement, iron sheets, plastic chairs to church communities and that sort of to me bribes people's minds so people are looking more at you know who is there to give out more material than who is there to go out to represent you, defend you."
Mackin Valia said voters need to be better educated about what qualities to look for in a candidate.
She is planning on filing an election petition with other losing candidates.
