Nagriamel warns against using Movement’s logo without permission

The Nagriamel Movement has warned that no individual or political group is to use the Movement’s logo as the nation gears up for the coming snap election following Parliament’s dissolution by President Baldwin Lonsdale.

The election for the new 52-member legislature has been set for January 22, 2016, by the Electoral Commission.

Speaking to the Daily Post, Nagriamel spokesperson, Jeff Patunvanu, said he had issued similar warnings in the past and this is again a reminder against people using the Nagriamel Movement Logo because it would be in contravention of a 2007 court order.

“The ban includes the use of the namele leave, shaking hands and the blue color, which are all on the movement’s logo.”

Patunvanu added that anyone wishing to use the movement’s logo must go through the process of joining the movement and getting the permission and approval of the Nagriamel Political Commission, whose President is John Lum, to contest elections under the Nagriamel Movement and to use its logo.

He pointed to the example of John Frum and Kapiel of Tanna whose leaders recently attended the Nagriamel National People’s Congress of the Movement in Luganville, Santo and sought and received approval to contest the coming snap election using the Nagriamel logo.

Additionally, the Nagriamel Movement has decided to contest the coming Sanma provincial election on its own and not with any other party. The President of the Nagriamel Movement, Chief Abel Nako, has written to the Electoral Office to remind them of this decision.

“As the Chief President of the Nagriamel Movement, I am giving instruction through this letter that our candidates for this Sanma Provincial Election, to be held on December 17, 2015 will contest under only the name and logo of the Nagriamel Movement.”

“This is a decision and resolution of the Nagriamel National People’s Congress and Upper Council of Chiefs of Nagriamel to contest under its own ticket,” he added.

Chief Nako also made it clear to the Electoral Office that the Movement will not be contesting the election under the Unity Front initiated by the former Opposition Group.

Patunvanu clarified that the decision for the Movement to contest on its own was because they found out from the last Luganville Municipal election that when the Movement worked together with other political parties they won only a single candidate.

He said a lot of supporters of the Movement were against the idea and now the Movement will contest the election by itself.

“Many people believe in Nagriamel, but they must come and join us. We cannot come and join you. But we can form governments with other political parties,” the Nagriamel spokesman explained.