A candidate who contested Temotu Pele constituency in last Wednesday’s polls has not officially resigned from his government job before contesting.
A senior officer in the Ministry of Rural Development said Drummond Tupe Vaea, who is the Constituency’s Development Officer, has not resigned his job.
The officer said it was surprising Vaea’s candidacy has not been vetted, resulting in him being allowed to contest.
Results from the Pele Constituency are yet to be known because counting is yet to start.
Chief Electoral Officer Polycarp Haununu said they are aware of Vaea’s case.
He explained section 49 of the Constitution sets out the grounds for disqualification as a Member of Parliament.
Section 49(1)(b) says “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of Parliament who holds, or is acting in, any public office”.
Haununu said Vaea’s nomination was received and accepted during the nomination period.
He added it is worth noting that Section 28(3) of the National Parliament Electoral Provisions Act states “the Returning Officer’s decision that the candidate has been validly nominated shall be final and shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings except on an election petition”.
