The new government in Vanuatu is planning to impose strict medical requirements on future political candidates, in an effort to deal with the long-running issue of elected MPs who don't live long enough to see out their term of office.
Already after the snap election in late January, the MP for the Malo/Aore constituency in northern Vanuatu, Havo Moli, has died, and the government will need to call an expensive by-election to find his replacement.
Amending the Representation of Peoples Acts is just one of the priorities listed in Prime Minister Charlot Salwai's 100 day plan that was made public last week.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister's office, Tanna MP Johnny Koanapo, worked on the document and says it's a necessary move, given the expenses involved in running by-elections...