13 Apr 2018

Nominations open for Gizo Kolombangara by elections

9:39 am on 13 April 2018

Nominations for candidates are now open for a by-election in the Gizo Kolombangara constituency of Solomon Islands.

The seat became vacant after a successful election petition.

The waterfront and wharves at Gizo, Solomon Islands

The waterfront and wharves at Gizo, Solomon Islands Photo: Supplied

The constituency which is located in the Western Province and includes the provincial capital Gizo, will go to the polls on the 23rd of May.

The ousted MP and former minister Jimmy Tanangada was found guilty by the High Court of bribery and treating through the use of agents who supplied food for supporters during his election campaign in 2014.

The petition was launched by a former prime minister Gordon Darcy Lilo whose loss to Mr Tanangada was the biggest upset of the General Elections that year.

Nominations for candidates opened on Wednesday and will close on the 25th of April by which time it will be clear whether Mr Lilo will contest for his former seat.

Mr Jimmy Tanangada is disqualified from contesting the upcoming by-election but he will be eligible to stand again in the general elections due next year.