Candidates had to be at least 25 years old, and could not have an undischarged prison sentence or bankruptcy.[3] They also required the support of at least five registered voters in their constituency, and had to put down a non-refundable 50,000 vatu deposit.[3] The President, judges, magistrates, civil servants, police officers, teachers and members of the National Council of Chiefs were all ineligible for election to Parliament.[3]
Campaign
346 candidates from 32 political parties contested the 52 seats.[4]
There were 344 polling stations throughout the country, including 12 in the capital city, Port Vila.[5] Over 192,000 citizens were eligible to vote in the 2012 election, with 34,998 registered voters in the capital city.[5]
The election was being observed by representatives from Australia, China, the European Union and the United States, as well as the High Commissioner of New Zealand to Vanuatu, Bill Dobie.[6] The international observers will submit a report on the election to the Vanuatuan government once the election is completed.[6]
2015 Port-Vila by-election, following the death of Edward Natapei, Vanua'aku Pati MP for Port-Vila. The by-election was won by Kenneth Natapei for the Vanua'aku Pati.
^"Vanuatu opposition lodge no confidence motion". ABC News. July 10, 2013. Vanuatu's Attorney General Ishmael Kalsakau alleges three government ministers, including the prime minister, bribed voters in order to win six Port Vila seats during the 2012 general election. The court has been told Mr Carcasses gave a 25 kilogram bag of rice to people in Seaside Paama. He denies the allegation.
