The Constitution is the supreme law of Vanuatu. Bislama is the national language, while Bislama, English and French are official languages. The Constitution protects rights and freedoms including equality, religion, expression and language, subject to the Constitution and other laws. Kastom is a recognized reference for public life, and the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs advises on custom, tradition, culture, languages and social peace. Nakamal and other customary institutions can provide local order or dispute pathways, but their legal effect depends on the Constitution, legislation and the relevant jurisdiction; they do not generally replace state courts. The President is Head of State and represents national unity. An electoral college made up of Parliament and the Presidents of the Provincial Government Councils elects the President. Executive power belongs to the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Parliament elects the Prime Minister, and ministers are chosen from its members. The cabinet may contain no more than one quarter of Parliament's members. Parliament has 52 members, makes laws, approves taxation and public spending, and scrutinizes the government. A successful no-confidence motion can lead to a change of government under the Constitution. Vanuatu is divided into the provinces of Torba, Sanma, Penama, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea. Provincial Government Councils manage local administration, development and services, with a Secretary-General as the province's chief executive. Area Councils provide another local level. Port Vila, Luganville and Lenakel have Municipal Councils responsible for urban state land, planning, boundaries and municipal by-laws. The Department of Local Authorities in the Ministry of Internal Affairs supports, coordinates and monitors provinces and Area Councils under the Decentralization Act. The Department of Urban Affairs and Planning supports municipalities and urban planning. The responsible level depends on the service, island, province or municipality, and distance can affect access. National ministries, departments and government agencies administer public services. The Prime Minister's Office coordinates government, while Director-Generals report under the Public Service Act 1998 to the government, Parliament and the public. The Public Service Commission oversees recruitment, personnel integrity and ethical, fair and quality public service. Forms, registries, local offices and service-specific procedures differ between agencies, and practical access can depend on language, transport and the capacity of the responsible office. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management prepares the budget, manages revenue, fiscal stability, debt and public financial management. Parliament approves appropriations, taxation and public expenditure. The 2026 recurrent revenue estimate is VT 46.8 billion, and the 2026 Budget Books are published in three volumes. Spending follows the chain from budget approval to appropriation, ministerial expenditure, accounting and reporting. Constitutional bodies, ministries and departments report expenditure, while donor-funded projects can require separate audits. The Ombudsman is constitutionally independent and investigates complaints and misconduct involving public bodies, local authorities, leaders and government-owned companies. Complaints are free and can include breaches of language rights. The Auditor-General and National Audit Office examine public accounts, legality, compliance with appropriations and public assets, and report to Parliament and the government. Parliamentary committees provide additional scrutiny. Current audit capacity focuses especially on Whole-of-Government Consolidated Accounts rather than every ministry separately. The Right to Information Act 2016, in force from 2017 and amended in 2019, requires government agencies to publish information and process requests. Any person may request information; citizenship and residence are not required. Processing usually takes about 30 days and may be extended by up to 14 days. A refusal can be reviewed or appealed through the applicable process. The Right to Information Unit and Right to Information Steering Committee operate under the Department of Strategic Policy, Planning and Aid Coordination. Exceptions include certain customary, private and public-media records. Parliament also publishes proceedings through Hansard. The Vanuatu Police Force maintains peace and order, protects life and property, enforces the law and brings alleged offenders before the courts. Its Maritime Wing conducts maritime policing and surveillance. The Vanuatu Mobile Force primarily supports law and order, provides limited first-line defence against an external threat, and assists with disaster relief, search and rescue and the Fire Service. The National Security Council Secretariat in the Prime Minister's Office coordinates strategic security policy, intelligence assessments and interagency work. Emergency numbers are 1111 or 111 for police, 113 for fire, 114 for maritime assistance and 115 for Promedical services. Courts, police stations, public offices, provincial bodies, municipalities and customary channels each have different access routes, forms, costs and timeframes.
State in Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a sovereign democratic republic governed by its Constitution, also called Mama Law. State power is exercised through the President, Parliament, the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, courts, public administration, provincial and municipal authorities, and customary institutions. Six provinces, 71 Area Councils and three municipalities deliver public functions across the archipelago.
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