Outgoing East Choiseul MP Manasseh Sogavare says there’s no law stopping a candidate from supporting another candidate contesting in a different constituency.
He was responding to Gizo resident Peter Naiko, who claimed Mr Sogavare was in Gizo recently to lobby support for a candidate contesting the Gizo-Kolombangara Constituency.
Mr Sogavare said Mr Naiko’s accusations shows he’s someone who doesn’t understand the Constitution or the Political Parties Integrity Act.
He said his support for Kenneth Bulehite was made on the understanding that once he wins the seat, he could be part of the independent candidates who are not contesting under a party.
“Then once we have the majority of independent candidates win in this election we will come into coalition to form a government,” Mr Sogavare said
“Our constitution entails freedom of expression in our democracy and on what grounds Naiko tries to accuse me of?”
Four candidates are vying for the Gizo/ Kolombangara parliamentary seat.
They include the outgoing MP and care-taker Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo, Jimson Tana, Kenneth Bulehite, and Shulty Maetoloa.
BY ELLIOT DAWEA
