Vanuatu Electoral Commission has confirmed that 248 candidates have qualified to contest in the upcoming July 8 elections, based on information released in their official broadcast yesterday.

The elections will cover four provincial councils along with two by-elections for vacant seats in Sanma and Port Vila.

Provincial Council Breakdown:

• Penama Province: 57 candidates will contest 16 seats.
• Malampa Province: 51 candidates are running for 21 seats.
• Shefa Province: 81 candidates will compete for 18 seats.
• Tafea Province: 49 candidates will contest 18 seats, including one unopposed seat for Futuna Island.

By-Elections:

• In Sanma Province, 4 candidates are contesting 1 vacant seat in the Santo Constituency.
• In Port Vila City Council, 6 female candidates are contesting the reserved women’s seat for the Freshwater–Tasiriki Ward.

According to the Commission’s broadcast from VBTC Live, campaigning officially opened yesterday and will close two days before polling, on Saturday 6 July.