Electoral Commission

Among the candidates are former Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas whose conviction for perjury was recently pardoned by President Obed Moses Tallis clearing the way for Salwai to contest the by-election.

Salwai is contesting the seat which he held previously under the banner of the Reunification Movement Party.

His other party colleague contesting the same seat is Jean Pascal Saltukro.

There are four Independent candidates – George Baddley Bongiri, Francois Xavier Chani, Ham Lini Vanuaroroa and Saltukro Jean Batist.

The announcement was made through the United Nations Development Programme's Vanuatu Electoral Environment Project which is working to improve civic education and voter awareness, to build the capacity of the electoral authorities and to enhance the voter registry.

New Zealand's high commissioner to Vanuatu, Jonathan Schwass, said the project will also help the Vanuatu government advance its Political Parties Bill, which is intended to increase political stability.

The Commission had earlier said it did not feel comfortable going onto the gang's premises.

A gang advocate, Denis O'Reilly, said getting gang members to vote was a way of helping them become more law abiding.

RNZI reports O’Reilly praised the Commission for getting Black Power members registered at a meeting on a marae in Hawera recently.

"It's a symbol by the Crown that says, 'We care. Yes we will thrash you if you break the law, but we also want to engage with you'.

"So it's as symbolic as anything," Mr O'Reilly said.