FOUR candidates have put up their hands for the Honiara City Council (HCC) Mayor’s post ahead of the election tomorrow.
They are former mayor, Andrew Mua and three newly elected councilors namely Alpheus Fatai (Vura ward), Edward Fonua Ngava (Mbuburu ward) and Charles Cheka Aiwasuga (Naha ward).
The Solomon Star has established that Mr Fatai, Mr Ngava and Mr Aiwasuga are candidates of a group that got the number as of Saturday night with 9 members.
Mr Mua is leading another group with only two members.
However, insiders claimed the camp might dissolve in the next 24 hours if it could not come up with a single candidate for the election.
The camp plans to carry out an elimination last night at Gina’s Restaurant. No reports of that were obtained when we went to the press.
The recent city council election had seen four former councilors retained their seats, while welcoming nine new members.
The former councilors are Mr Mua, Charles Kira (Kukum ward), Jack Maeli Igi (Voukesa ward), and Eric Tema (Mataniko ward).
The eight new councillors are:
1. Richard Safue, Panatina ward
2. John Iva Aruhane, Vavaea ward
3. John Waleurifo, Cruz ward
4. Edward Siapu, Rove/ Lengakiki ward
5. Bradley Scott Rarai, Kola Ward
City clerk Charles Kelly said nominations will open today and close within 24 hours followed by the election the next day.
“This means a whole day and night until 6am the next day and then the Mayor’s election will be on the 30th of December,” Mr Kelly explained.
He said it is important that the Mayor’s seat is filled before the New Year.
“Two councilors can nominate a candidate.
“We want as many nominations but we can only have one mayor to elect,” he said.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
