Countdown to Election Day as Aftershocks Rattle Vanuatu
Vanuatu prepares for a challenging snap election amid ongoing aftershocks and recovery efforts
Vanuatu, Port Vila, Election, Earthquake, Aftershocks, Cyclone Season
Port Vila: Vanuatu is gearing up for a snap election, moving polling stations closer to communities. This comes after the country faced a tough time due to a recent earthquake.
The election is going to be tricky. Many polling places are now unsafe because of the quake that hit back in December. A spokesperson from the Vanuatu High Commission in Canberra shared this with AAP.
Right now, Vanuatu is still recovering. They got help from Australia, France, New Zealand, and recently China, which is trying to make its mark in the Pacific.
Australia was among those who sent aid after the earthquake. The state of emergency is over, and the airport in Port Vila is back in action. But the community is still feeling the effects, with over 400 aftershocks shaking things up, plus the cyclone season is just around the corner.
The election date has been pushed to January 16, and they plan to reuse many polling booths from a recent referendum. Political campaigning is already underway and will wrap up by midnight on January 13, leading into a quiet period before voting.
Vanuatu is known for its natural disasters, with volcano eruptions and cyclones being common. The 7.3 magnitude quake on December 17 was particularly devastating, causing 14 deaths, including two Chinese nationals, and injuring over 200 people.
While many roads have been cleared, access to the international wharf and the central business district in Port Vila is still blocked. Aftershocks are also causing issues on the outskirts, making it tough to keep roads clear.
Despite all this, officials believe voter turnout will be fine. They’re working to make polling stations more accessible, especially for those in the outer highlands.
The recent referendum was a step towards stabilizing the political scene, as Vanuatu had three prime ministers in just one month last year. Principal Electoral Officer Guilain Malessas has called on political parties to get their act together regarding candidate fees and debts.
The Australian Electoral Commission has provided materials like ballot boxes and is ready to help further if needed. New Zealand is also lending a hand through a UN-led project aimed at strengthening Vanuatu’s democracy.
The date change for the election was made after the Council of Ministers asked for a review due to the earthquake. This election will mark the fifth government change in two years, following President Nikenike Vurobaravu’s decision to dissolve parliament in November.
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, facing a no-confidence situation, suggested dissolving parliament, which led to this snap election. Vanuatu’s top court has cleared the way for the election by dismissing a constitutional challenge to the dissolution.