Vanuatu
Parliament
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Parliamentary system
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Unicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections.
Background
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Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
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13 Oct 2022
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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18 Aug 2022
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Early elections
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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30 Nov 2026
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Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
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52
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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Snap elections in 2022 resulted in a fragmented parliament again. The 52-member legislature comprises 17 parties (down from 19 elected in 2020). One woman was elected for the first time since 2012. The Vanua'aku Pati (VP) led by Prime Minister Bob Loughman) and the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP, led by former Attorney General Ishmael Kalsakau) both came first, winning seven seats.
On 4 November, Parliament held its first session. Mr. Simeon Davidson Seoule (Laverwo Movement), who was supported by the UMP and its allies, was re-elected as Speaker. He defeated Mr. Ulrich Sumptoh of the Reunification Movement for Change (RMC), who was endorsed by Prime Minister Loughman. Mr. Loughman announced that his camp would not nominate a premiership candidate, but would instead support Mr. Kalsakau (UMP). Parliament then elected Mr. Kalsakau as the new Prime Minister with 50 votes. He had announced a 10-party coalition government (c.f., names of parties in government). The sole woman MP, Ms. Gloria Julia King, became the third Deputy Speaker.
The 2022 elections were held over a year earlier than they were constitutionally due (see note). On 18 August, the eve of a no confidence motion against the then Prime Minister Loughman, Parliament was dissolved by President Nikenike Vurobaravu (VP, elected by Parliament in July 2022). Earlier, the government (under the then Vanuatu President Tallis Obed Moses) announced agreements with China, deepening their economic ties.
Note:
In Vanuatu, a parliament’s term lasts for four years from the date of its election. The outgoing legislature, elected on 19 March 2020, was to sit until March 2024. General elections are held no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days after any dissolution of parliament. Elections were thus due between April and May 2024.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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17
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Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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13.5%
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Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
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Yes
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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10
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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Union of Moderate Parties (UMP), Reunification of Movement for Change (RMC), National United Party (NUP), People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Graon mo Jastis Party (GJP), Leaders Party Vanuatu (LPV), National Development Party (VNDP), National United Party (NUP), Ngwasoanda Custom Movement, Laverwo Movement
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group | Total |
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Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) | 7 |
Vanua'aku Pati (VP) | 7 |
Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) | 5 |
Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) | 5 |
Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP) | 4 |
National United Party (NUP) | 4 |
Rural Development Party (RDP) | 4 |
Iauko Group (IG) | 3 |
People’s Progressive Party (PPP) | 2 |
Ngwasoanda Custom Movement (NCM) | 2 |
Vanuatu National Development Party (VNDP) | 2 |
Laverwo Movement | 1 |
Nagriamel Movement | 1 |
People Unity Development Party (PUDP) | 1 |
Unity for Change Movement (UCM) | 1 |
Vanuatu Liberal Movement (VLLP) | 1 |
Vanuatu Progressive Development Party (VPDP) | 1 |
Independents | 1 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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51
- Number of women elected
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1
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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1.9%
- Women Directly Elected
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1
- Other notes on the elections
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Note on the expected date of next elections:
Unless dissolved sooner, Parliament will continue for four years from the date of its election, i.e. until 13 October 2026. General elections are to be held no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days after any dissolution. They are thus due between November 2026 and January 2027.
- Sources
New legislature
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Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
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51
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Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
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1
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
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1.9%
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First-term parliamentarians
The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
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No information available
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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No information available
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Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
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04 Nov 2022
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Simeon Davidson Seoule (Male)
Date of birth: 10 Oct 1970 -
Political party
The political party to which the Speaker belonged to at the moment of the election. In some parliaments, the Speaker suspends or relinquishes their party membership during their term in office and is considered as an independent member.
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Laverwo Movement
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Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
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04 Nov 2022