Nagriamel to field 12 candidates in 2012

The Nagriamel Movement plan to field about 12 candidates come 2012 national elections although there is likelihood this figure may increase if Torba, Maewo and Paama give an indication of their support base.

Secretary General of the political commission of the Nagriamel Movement, Jeff Patuvanu, has issued a memorandum to all chairpersons of the party’s sub-regions in the 15 districts and island headquarters to start preparing their candidates.

The memorandum dated December 14 highlighted the following sub-regions that would be fielding candidates:

Tanna/Kapiel- (1 candidate)
Efate Rural/Natatok - (1 candidate)
Port Vila -(1 candidate)
Epi Island -(1 candidate)
Ambrym -(1 candidate)
Malekula -(1 candidate)
Pentecost -(1 candidate)
Ambae -(1 candidate)
Santo Rural -(2 candidate)
Luganville -(1 candidate)
Malo/Aore -(1 candidate)

Patunvanu expressed confidence the party will do well in that election. Currently, Nagriamel has one MP in Malo/Aore leader and former Agriculture minister Havo Moli after MP Ioan Simon moved to join VRP late last year.

The commission has spelt out the following criteria to the chairpersons of the sub-regions to help them choose their candidates. The candidates, according to the memorandum must:

—Uphold the principles and values of custom in line with the national constitution and the party constitution;

—Have a good community standing and have respect for the people from children to the high-ranking chiefs;

—Be honest and a good role model for others, especially young people;

—Have a proven track record as a community leader who can cooperate with both men and women, as well as the national executive of the national political commission of Nagriamel;

—Respect the rule of law and principles of natural justice and equal opportunity;

—Be prepared to listen and taken instructions and policy directives from the movement’s Upper Council of Chiefs;

—Have a sound knowledge of the movement’s constitution and structure;

—Be able to read and write and can prove themselves to be good public speakers who can speak with confidence and authority, when in the national parliament;

—Be able to initiate projects that generate revenue to the community and have some understanding of business; and

—Be able to listen to advise and work closely with the political commission of the party.

The names are normally endorsed by the Upper Council of Chiefs whose headquarters are in Fanafo.

Patunvanu said once the screening process has been completed the names should be ready by the end of February 2011 to go before the political commission which will then forward the names further to national people’s congress which will be held in May this year in Malekula.

A confirmation ceremony will be held at Fanafo once Congress has given its final approval.