Elections in Vanuatu

Vanuatu's electoral framework is based on the Constitution of 1980, the Electoral Act No. 16 of 2023 in force since 9 August 2024, the Political Parties Registration Act No. 15 of 2023, the National Referendum Act 2004 and later amendments, including the Electoral (Amendment) Act No. 41 of 2025. The Electoral Commission is the independent policy and oversight body. It sets electoral orders, supports voter education, manages results, handles recounts and appeals, and supervises the process. The Vanuatu Electoral Office carries out the administration through the Principal Electoral Officer, Returning Officers, Registration Officers, Presiding Officers and polling clerks. Police provide security at polling stations. Parliament has 52 seats in 18 constituencies. Six constituencies elect one member. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins under First Past the Post, or FPTP. Twelve constituencies elect between two and seven members. Each voter has one vote for one candidate, and the candidates with the highest totals fill the available seats. This system is called Single Non-Transferable Vote, or SNTV. Voters choose candidates rather than party lists. The Constitution requires an element of proportional representation, but parliamentary elections operate mainly through these majoritarian candidate-based rules. Provincial Government Councils and Municipal Councils also use constituency-based candidate elections. Municipal elections cover Port Vila and Luganville, with four wards in each municipality. The Vanuatu Electoral Office describes the municipal system as multi-member SNTV, although one VEO frequently asked questions page has described it differently. The current election order for the specific election takes priority. Municipal Councils include a 30% quota for women through reserved seats. The President is elected by an electoral college rather than by direct public vote. The Malvatumauri leadership is also selected indirectly. Referendums are limited to constitutional questions. A voter generally needs to be a Ni-Vanuatu citizen who is at least 18 years old on the qualifying date, listed in the electronic Voter Register and able to present a National Identity Card. The constitutional principles include universal, equal and secret voting. Voting is voluntary. Dual citizenship can restrict political participation and voting under Article 13, and the effect of the 2025 court decisions differs between indigenous and naturalised dual citizens. A person with dual citizenship should have the Electoral Commission confirm eligibility for the specific case. Registration is continuous. The Vanuatu Electoral Office operates year-round registration in Port Vila and registration centres listed in the applicable schedule. Registration is free. In practice, a birth certificate and, where required, two local witnesses may be used for registration. A person who moves to another polling district needs to register again. The register and polling-station allocation are fixed at least six weeks before polling day. A person who cannot find an entry can request a review by the Principal Electoral Officer and may appeal to the Electoral Commission within 48 hours. The Commission's decision is final for that registration review. Replacing a lost or missing National Identity Card can involve a fee set by the current VEO rules. Voters normally cast their ballot at the assigned polling station, often a school or community centre. A person cannot vote without both a register entry and the required National Identity Card. Voting from abroad is legally available only for national elections, and the VEO currently documents an overseas arrangement in Noumea, New Caledonia. Proxy voting is provided for specific cases: the proxy needs their own voter document, the required proxy form and documentation for the person represented. A voter with a physical limitation or advanced age may choose an accompanying person in the voting booth. The VEO, radio, television, pictographic posters and civil-society organisations provide accessibility information, while transport and distance remain serious obstacles on remote islands. Polling normally runs from 07:30 to 16:30. A polling station can remain open longer when voters are still waiting in line. Staff show the empty ballot box before voting begins, secure it with two numbered seals and record the relevant details. The polling clerk checks the National Identity Card against the register and marks the voter. The voter receives one ballot, marks one candidate with a tick in private, folds the ballot and places it in the box. Staff mark the voter's left thumb with indelible ink. Candidate agents and observers may be present inside the polling station, while the general public remains outside. A ballot can be void if it identifies the voter, uses a non-official or no envelope where an envelope is required, or places more than one ballot in an envelope. A missing register entry or National Identity Card cannot be repaired after the vote by a later explanation. Candidates for Parliament generally need to be Ni-Vanuatu citizens aged at least 25 who are not disqualified from voting, imprisoned, undischarged bankrupt or liable for specified government debts. Incompatible offices include the presidency, judicial and magistrate positions, police service, certain chiefly offices, the Teaching Service, the Citizenship Commission and public service positions covered by the law. In a rural constituency, the candidate must generally originate from that constituency. Parliamentary nomination requires either three recognised chiefs or five registered voters who live in the constituency, together with personal submission, a declaration, a policy platform for an independent candidate and an election symbol. The 2025 Candidate Handbook sets a maximum fee of VT 150,000 plus VT 2,000 processing; the current election notice or handbook controls if an older VEO page gives a different amount. Provincial and municipal candidates generally need citizenship, a minimum age of 21, local registration and voting eligibility. Current imprisonment, undischarged bankruptcy and incompatible council or parliamentary positions can disqualify a candidate. Nomination commonly requires five local voters or legally recognised chiefs. The 2025 Candidate Handbook sets a maximum fee of VT 55,000 plus VT 2,000 processing for these elections, while an older VEO page lists a lower amount. The current election notice controls. Municipal candidacy is tied to the relevant ward in Port Vila or Luganville. Political parties are registered under the Political Parties Registration Act. The public register is maintained through the Electoral Commission and VEO. A new party needs at least 500 voter signatures and identity documents. An existing party needs at least 1,000 votes from the previous national election. Registration also requires a VT 150,000 fee, a constitution, a logo, a policy platform, an executive of at least six people and at least one woman on that executive. Independent candidates and Custom Movement candidates remain functional alternatives. In practice, party affiliation is often weaker than the personal standing of candidates. The Electoral Commission sets election dates and issues. For a parliamentary election, the President acts on the Prime Minister's advice after consultation with the Commission. Provincial and municipal timing involves the Commission and ministerial consultation. Candidate lists are published at least 14 days before national and provincial polling and at least four days before municipal polling. Candidate and party agents, domestic observers and international observers need VEO accreditation and must follow the applicable code of conduct. Campaign-finance disclosure applies. Bribery, treating, undue influence, threats, false candidate information and gifts or handouts intended to influence voters are prohibited. Vote-buying, personation, multiple voting and interference with election materials are key risks. Polling-station staff count ballots immediately after voting. They sort ballots by candidate and void status and complete tally sheets showing registered voters, voters who voted, void ballots and valid votes for each candidate. Candidates, agents and observers can observe the count. Sealed ballots and reports go through the Registration Officer to Electoral Commission headquarters in Port Vila. The Commission tallies and announces constituency results, which are published in the Official Gazette. A candidate or agent may request a recount, although a Presiding Officer can reject an unreasonable request. The 2025 snap parliamentary election took place on 16 January 2025, with results and elected members published in the Official Gazette on 29 January 2025. A Torba Provincial Election was held on 3 February 2026. Registration objections go first to the Principal Electoral Officer and then to the Electoral Commission. Complaints about officials or other actors and suspected offences can proceed through the courts. An electoral petition must generally be filed within 21 days after Gazette publication and requires a VT 20,000 security deposit. Parliamentary petitions go to the Supreme Court, while provincial and municipal petitions go to the Magistrates Court under the Electoral Act. A court can void an election, declare another candidate elected or confirm the result. Vacancies are generally filled by the runner-up from the previous election when that candidate remains eligible. A by-election may be needed when no suitable runner-up exists. Constitutional Articles 17A and 17B, activated by the 2024 referendum, can create a parliamentary vacancy after a change of party or loss of party affiliation. Parliament normally lasts four years, subject to constitutional dissolution rules. A general election follows dissolution within the constitutional period, usually 30 to 60 days. The Prime Minister is selected by an absolute majority of Parliament; if no candidate reaches that threshold, later ballots eliminate the candidate with the lowest support. Fragmented election results commonly lead to coalition governments.