Vanuatu to hold snap election in January 2016

Vanuatu will hold a snap election on Jan. 22, 2016, the Pacific Islands News Association confirmed Monday, nearly two weeks since the Pacific island country's parliament was dissolved after sentencings were made against 15 members of parliament convicted of bribery.

In the past week, all political parties in Vanuatu have been making necessary preparations for the snap election.

After the official announcement was made on the state-run Radio Vanuatu, the electoral commission has stepped up a nationwide campaign through the radio against anti-corruption activities that could occur before, during and after an election.

On Nov. 24, Vanuatu's President Baldwin Lonsdale dissolved the one-chamber parliament, after efforts by the government and the opposition to settle a political impasse following the jailing of 14 government MPs convicted of bribery failed.

Lonsdale said enough time had been given to both sides and his decision to dissolve the parliament is in the best interests of the country.

On Oct. 22, Deputy Prime Minister Moana Carcasses, Parliament Speaker Marcellino Pipite and other 12 MPs received prison terms ranging from three years to four years. Another MP, the only one pleading guilty to the bribery charges, was given a 20 months jail term suspended for two years.

The court had convicted the 15 MPs for giving or accepting bribes from the opposition to support a vote of no confidence that toppled then prime minister Joe Natuman. Carcasses was the then opposition leader. An appeal was dismissed.

Vanuatu's Supreme Court has banned the 15 convicted politicians from holding public office for ten years.

Meanwhile, President Lonsdale is expected to appear in court again this week in relation to his decision to the parliament dissolution, challenged by 24 former opposition MPs. Enditem