First ever female MP for Western Province.
Lanelle Tanangada, wife of the former MP Jimson Tanangada has been elected the new Member of Parliament for Gizo/Kolombangara constituency after counting in the by election concluded late this evening.
Mrs Tanangada defeated former MP and Prime Minister , Gordon Darcy Lilo and four other male contestants.
She registered 2580 votes, Followed by Gordon Darcy Lilo 1593 votes, Peter Sogoilo with 598 votes, Kenneth Bulehite with 243 votes and Ronald Dive with 187 votes.
She also becomes the first ever woman in the Western Province to be elected into Parliament.
The constituents have been without a Member of Parliament since last November when Jimson Tanangada lost his seat in an election petition against his 2014 victory, challenged by Gordon Darcy Lilo.
Lanelle, a Waikato University graduate made her grand entrance into politics as an independent candidate.
By: Lowen Sei.