2015 Port-Vila by-election

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A by-election to the Parliament of Vanuatu was held in the constituency of Port-Vila (the capital city) on 15 October 2015. It followed the death of sitting MP (former Prime Minister, and incumbent Leader of the Opposition[1]) Edward Natapei, of the centre-left Vanua'aku Pati. Natapei died after a long illness in July. Although Port-Vila is a multi-member constituency, only one seat was vacant, and therefore only one new member was elected.

Candidates[]

The parliamentary Opposition parties (Vanua'aku Pati, National United Party, Melanesian Progressive Party, Land and Justice Party, Nagriamel, and Reunification Movement for Change) agreed to endorse a single candidate: Natapei's eldest son, Kenneth Natapei, also of the Vanua'aku Pati. On the government side, the Union of Moderate Parties (centre-right) also initially endorsed Kenneth Natapei,[2][3][4] before putting forward its own candidate. Ultimately, five other candidates took part in the election alongside Natapei : Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau (independent), Nadia Kanegai (People's Progressive Party), Allan Carlot (Natatok), Georgie Calo (Union of Moderate Parties) and Jocelyn Mete (independent).[5]

Result[]

With a low turnout (approx. 27.6%), Kenneth Natapei was declared the winner by a clear margin.[6][7] Following the unseating of fourteen members of Parliament upon conviction for bribery, however, President Baldwin Lonsdale dissolved Parliament on 24 November, and called a snap general election. Natapei had not yet been sworn in.[8] He held his seat in the ensuing general election, which also saw by-election candidate Ishmael Kalsakau feature among Port-Vila's six elected representatives.[9]

Port-Vila by-election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
VP 4,600 44.95 % +31.58 %[10]
Independent Ishmael Kalsakau 3,205 31.32 % +27.72 %
PPP Nadia Kanegai 974 9.52 % +4.23 %
UMP Georgie Calo 918 8.97 % -2.04 %
Natatok Allan Carlot 380 3.71 % +2.21 %
Independent Jocelyn Mete 156 1.52 % n/a
Majority 1,395 13.63 % n/a
VP hold Swing +31.58 %

References[]

  1. ^ "Queues form to vote in Vanuatu by-election", Radio New Zealand, 15 October 2015
  2. ^ "Young Natapei is VP candidate for by-election", Vanuatu Daily Post, 1 September 2015
  3. ^ "Kenneth Natapei nominated for Port Vila By-Election 2015", Yumi Toktok Street, 20 August 2015
  4. ^ Vanuatu Daily News Digest Archived 2015-09-19 at the Wayback Machine, 4 September 2015
  5. ^ "Six candidates for Port Vila by-election", Vanuatu Daily Post, 12 September 2015
  6. ^ "Kenneth Natapei unofficial winner in Vanuatu by-election", Radio New Zealand, 16 October 2015
  7. ^ "UNOFFICIAL RESULTS IN NATAPEI'S FAVOUR", Vanuatu Daily Post, 16 October 2015
  8. ^ "Former Vanuatu MP continues serving people despite dissolution", Radio New Zealand, 26 November 2015
  9. ^ "Official results – 2016 Vanuatu General Election" Archived 2016-03-10 at the Wayback Machine, Vanuatu Daily Digest, 1 February 2016
  10. ^ Official results of the 2012 general election
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