# 2009 Vanuatuan by-elections

Four by-elections to the Parliament of Vanuatu were held in 2009 to fill seven vacant seats.

## Efate

The by-election was held in the constituency of Efate on 6 August 2009, after a Supreme Court ruling removed four MPs from Parliament because they had either used inducements to win their seats, or had won due to electoral irregularities.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Pakoa Kaltonga | Vanua'aku Pati | 1,515 | 14.86 |
| | Steven Kalsakau | Union of Moderate Parties | 1,015 | 9.96 |
| | Alfred Rolland Carlot | Vanuatu Republican Party | 986 | 9.67 |
| | Joshua Kalsakau | Vanuatu Labour Party | 942 | 9.24 |
| | Jimmy Luna Tasong | Independent | 925 | 9.07 |
| | Barak Sopé | Melanesian Progressive Party | 827 | 8.11 |
| | Kalmele Matai | Vanua'aku Pati | 742 | 7.28 |
| | Roro Sambo | Alliance | 636 | 6.24 |
| | William Malas | National Community Association | 594 | 5.83 |
| | Andrew Samuel | Traditional Kavening Authority | 450 | 4.41 |
| | Ephraim Kalsakau | Independent | 410 | 4.02 |
| | Harry Man Kalsong | Vanuatu Democratic Protection Party | 288 | 2.83 |
| | Eric Pakoa Markiwola | Independent | 236 | 2.32 |
| | Lilly Lui | Independent | 179 | 1.76 |
| | Warewo Rave Chilia | National United Party | 138 | 1.35 |
| | Joel Kaltang | Alliance | 135 | 1.32 |
| | Jean Pierre Serel | Independent | 117 | 1.15 |
| | Hendon Kalsakau | Independent | 59 | 0.58 |
| Total | Total | Total | 10,194 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 10,194 | 98.87 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 116 | 1.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,310 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 21,282 | 48.44 |
| Source: |||||

## Epi

The by-election was held in the constituency of Epi on 5 February 2009, after Leinavao Tasso was removed after being accused of bribing voters.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Ioane Simon Omawa | Independent | 651 | 25.78 |
| | Leinavao Tasso | Vanua'aku Pati | 638 | 25.27 |
| | John Roy Nil | Independent | 617 | 24.44 |
| | Isabelle Donald | Independent | 301 | 11.92 |
| | Seule Simeon | Vanuatu National Party | 220 | 8.71 |
| | Joe Jimmy | Shepherds Alliance | 98 | 3.88 |
| Total | Total | Total | 2,525 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 2,525 | 98.40 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 41 | 1.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,566 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 3,437 | 74.66 |
| Source: |||||

## Southern Islands

The by-election was held in the constituency of the Southern Islands on 15 December 2009.
The constituency covers four of the five islands of Tafea Province (Aniwa, Futuna, Erromango and Anatom, excluding only Tanna). It elects a single representative to Vanuatu. The by-election was due to the death of sitting MP Ture Kailo, of the Vanua'aku Party, who had died suddenly in October while attending a seminar organised by the Australian government in Canberra.
The seat was retained by the Vanua'aku Party; its candidate, Philip Charley, finished "well ahead" of the candidates from the Union of Moderate Parties and the National United Party.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Philip Charley Norwo | Vanua'aku Pati | 929 | 52.57 |
| | Tomkor Netvunei | Union of Moderate Parties | 446 | 25.24 |
| | Marsel Wilson Manua | National United Party | 392 | 22.18 |
| Total | Total | Total | 1,767 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,767 | 99.66 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 6 | 0.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,773 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 2,369 | 74.84 |
| Source: |||||

## Tanna

The by-election was held in the constituency of Tanna on 30 April 2009, after a Supreme Court ruling removed Judah Issac after he was found guilty of bribery.
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Willie Lop | People's Progressive Party | 3,244 | 34.90 |
| | Tom Ierongen | Vanua'aku Pati | 2,845 | 30.61 |
| | Sabi Nantonga | National Community Association | 1,971 | 21.21 |
| | Judah Issac | Vanuatu Republican Party | 634 | 6.82 |
| | Kasipai Song | Independent | 589 | 6.34 |
| | Walu Shark | Independent | 11 | 0.12 |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,294 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 9,294 | 97.34 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 254 | 2.66 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,548 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 21,500 | 44.41 |
| Source: |||||