The deadline for nominations for next week's parliamentary election of a prime minister close today.
Rick Hou Photo: RNZ Dorothy Wickham
This came after prime minister Manasseh Sogavare was ousted in a vote of no-confidence by MPs on Monday.
Two main groups are lobbying to form the new government.
Mr Sogavare's group, which lost the no-confidence vote by 27 votes to 23 in the 50-seat parliament, said it was confident of claiming a majority again.
It has nominated Mr Hou, the MP for Small Malaita and a former Central Bank Governor.
The opposite group was expecetd to submit its nomination by this afternoon.
