17 candidates nominate so far for Rigo Open

With one more sleep before the close of nominations, the Rigo Open Electorate in Central Province has recorded 17 candidates that have nominated so far.

As of 2pm today, April 26, 17 candidates including three females have nominated.

Among the 17 candidates are sitting Member of Parliament Ano Pala and the three females are Vavine Kila Nades, Iga Kepi Gima and Julianne Leka-Maliaki.

Rigo Open returning officer Virgil Waisa confirmed that before the issue of writs, they had 41 intending candidates express interest by filling in the bio data form. 

He said nominations started at a slow pace since issue of writs on April 20 and is expecting to pick up with a lot more last minute nominations on the last day.   

“Some intending candidates that showed interest may decide to withdraw their nominations.

“We will declare nominations close by 4pm on Thursday, 27 April so those who showed interest and have not nominated will not be eligible to contest,” Waisa explained.

Waisa appealed to the candidates who are yet to nominate to quickly do so because upon close of nominations, they will not accept anymore.

When nominations closed, the returning officer will do a draw to pick candidates to allocate a number to each one.

Once the numbers are allocated to each candidate, that information will then be passed on to the electoral commission along with photographs of the candidates for them to print the posters.

Author: 
Quintina Naime