8 Jul 2016

Nauru candidate uses banned Facebook to campaign

1:45 pm on 8 July 2016

One of four female candidates in Nauru's general election says she's using Facebook to publicise her campaign even though the social media website is banned.

67 candidates are contesting tomorrow's election across eight multi-member electorates for the 19 seat parliament.

The Chamber of Parliament, Nauru

The Chamber of Parliament, Nauru Photo: Supplied

A former deputy clerk of parliament and first-time candidate, Gabrissa Hartman, said many Nauruans could still access Facebook despite the government ban.

"Right now there are still a lot of people that are still accessing Facebook on the island and I use that a lot to get my missions out and post up slogans and posters on Facebook," she said.

Ms Hartman, who is 41, said she was running on a platform that included policies of good governance, gender equality and improved housing.

"Other than that (Facebook) there's not much in terms of media. TV and radio I don't use that," she said.

Oppostion MPs said they had been blocked from running campaign advertising in Nauru media.

But the Nauru Government, who banned facebook last year, said TV and radio stations on Nauru have a long standing policy of not running campaign advertising.

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