PARAMARIBO- As a result of the sudden passing of MP Chandrikapersad Santokhi there is ...

currently a vacant seat in parliament. Next on the list of candidates of the Progressive Reform Party (VHP) is Johnny Kasdjo. “The matter of filling the vacant seat in parliament is not being discussed yet”, the leader of the VHP fraction in parliament, Asiskumar Gajadien, told Times of Suriname. MP Gajadien pointed out that the party is currently not focusing on that matter as all of its attention is focused on the funeral of Santokhi who was also the chairman of the VHP. He also pointed out that the matter is not a complicated one. “There are legal procedures that must be followed and we will stick to them”, said MP Gajadien who added that there are no reasons to deviate from the proceedings that are set in motion when a seat becomes vacant in parliament. MP Gajadien explained that the VHP still has not addressed the matter. “Let us concentrate on a worthy funeral for the member who has passed away.” Kasdjo is on the 18th spot of the list that the VHP entered the election race with. The VHP only reeled in 17 parliamentary seats. Now that Santokhi has passed away, Kasdjo who is next in line can move to the 17th spot and fill the open position in parliament, if he chooses to do so. Kasdjo is a resident from the Commewijne District who has recently asked that the problems in Mariënburg be addressed.