THREE candidates will contest the Honiara City Council (HCC) mayor’s post today (Tuesday).
They are former mayor Andrew Mua and two newly elected councillors Alpheus Fatai (Vura ward) and Charles Cheka Aiwasuga (Naha ward).
City clerk Charles Kelly declined to disclose the names of the candidates when nominations closed at 6pm yesterday, but the Solomon Star managed to get them from sources.
According to sources, the other candidate Eddie Ngava of Mbuburu ward agreed to withdraw to allow Mr Fatai and Mr Aiwasuga to represent their camp, which got 9 members as of last night.
Mr Mua is leading another group with only two members.
The city council’s legal officer Vincent Kohata said today’s meeting will start with swearing-in of all 12 councillors and ex-officios namely Guadalcanal Premier Bartholomew Vavanga and the three Members of Parliament for Honiara.
They are Douglas Ete of East Honiara, John Moffat Fugui of Central Honiara, and Namson Tran of West Honiara.
Mr Kohata said after their swearing-in, the mayor’s election can take place.
He said four other members appointed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Mr Ete will also participate in the election.
Mr Kohata said there will be a total of 20 people participating in the election.
“In the process, if any of the three candidates get 11 votes or half plus 1 in the first round of election, he will be declared the winner,” Mr Kohata said.
“However, if no candidate receives more than 10 votes in the first round, the lowest will be eliminated in the race to allow them to go into second round to find the winner,” he added.
City’s clerk Charles Kelly will officiate the election.
Mr Kohata said after the mayor is elected, he will take charge of the meeting and set the date for the next full council meeting.
The new mayor will also use the opportunity in the next meeting to appoint his seven standing committee chairmen.
The election will take place inside the city council conference room.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
