parliament

The President Baldwin Lonsdale had earlier threatened to dissolve Parliament if it did not sit today.

The acting speaker, Samson Samsen, issued a letter on Saturday demanding all MPs hold a session today, in order to pass the budget.

However, the government will be short 14 jailed MPs who lost their seats after their appeal against their convictions for bribery was rejected by the country's highest court on Friday.

The Court of Appeal also dismissed the MPs' appeal against President Baldwin Lonsdale's decision to revoke their self-imposed pardon.

As per requirement under the 2013 constitution, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has nominated former military officer and current cabinet minister Jioji Konrote for the position, where as the opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has nominated Taveuni chief and former military commander Ratu Epeli Ganilau.

The constitution requires the President has had a distinguished career in any aspect of national or international life, whether in the public or private sector.

It is alleged that government MPs Paul Telukluk and Arnold Prasad, along with a former diplomat turned businessman, attempted to defraud the government and people of Vanuatu by not declaring their company's import of a large quantity of cigarettes.

According to the opposition, Vanuatu's Director of the Department of Customs and the Commissioner of Police should properly investigate the allegation.

The opposition also called on the government to refrain and cease from attempting to interfere with the lawful operation of Customs in dealing with this allegation.