Vanuatu

Parliament

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
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

Election date(s)
16 Jan 2025
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
18 Nov 2024
Timing of election
Early elections
Expected date of next elections
31 Jan 2029
Number of seats at stake
52
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
23

Notes: 25 parties registered but 23 parties actually fielded candidates.

Total number of candidates
216
Number of male candidates
209
Number of female candidates
7
Percentage of women candidates
3.2%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
212,245

Results

About the election

Snap elections in 2025 resulted in a fragmented parliament again. The 52-member legislature comprises 14 parties (down from 17 elected in 2022). Only one woman was elected, as was the case in 2022. On 27 January, five parties agreed to form a coalition government (see note 1). On 11 February, the newly elected Parliament held its first session and elected Mr. Felix Stephen Dorrick (Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV)) as its new Speaker. Mr. Jotham Napat, a former foreign minister and LPV President was elected unopposed as the new Prime Minister.

The 2025 elections – the second snap poll in two years – were the first to be held after the 2024 constitutional amendments were passed. These aim to curb political instability (see note 2) in a country where multiple votes of no confidence in the government have been called. The 2025 snap elections followed an attempted no confidence vote against Prime Minister Charlot Salwai (Reunification Movement for Change (RMC), see note 3) and an impeachment motion against President Nikenike Vurobaravu. On 18 November 2024, the eve of the no confidence vote, the President dissolved Parliament. This led to the snap election after a Supreme Court ruling in December that validated the dissolution of Parliament.

The elections were held one month after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake on 17 December, which claimed 14 lives, injured more than 200 people, and displaced thousands. The elections, which were initially scheduled for 14 January 2025, were delayed by two days. During election campaigning, the major parties focused on recovery from the earthquake.

Note 1:
The five parties and their leaders are: the Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV, led by Mr. Jotham Napat); Vanua'aku Pati (VP, Mr. Johnny Koanapo); Iauko Group (IG, Mr. Marc Ati); Graon mo Jastis Pati (GJP, Mr. Ralph Regenvanu); and Reunification Movement for Change (RMC, Mr. Charlot Salwai). They jointly hold 32 seats in the new legislature.

Note 2:
In May 2024, Vanuatu adopted constitutional amendments in accordance with the Constitution (Eighth) (Amendment) Act No. 21 of 2023, passed by Parliament in December 2023. The amendments aim to curb political instability by locking MPs into their political parties, and requiring independents and single-MP parties to affiliate themselves with larger political parties for the entire legislature.
Source: https://electoral.gov.vu/elections/2024-elections/2024-national-referendum

Note 3:
Since the previous elections in 2022, Vanuatu had had three Prime Ministers: Mr. Ishmael Kalsakau (Union of Moderate Parties); Mr. Sato Kilman (People's Progressive Party); and Mr. Charlot Salwai (RMC).

Number of parties winning seats
14
Percentage of parties winning seats
60.9%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
17.3%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
5
Names of parties in government
Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV), Vanua'aku Pati (VP), Iauko Group (IG), Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP), Reunification Movement for Change (RMC)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) 9
Vanua'aku Pati (VP) 7
Iauko Group (IG) 6
Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) 6
Rural Development Party (RDP) 6
Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP) 5
Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) 5
Vanuatu Green Confederation Party (GC) 1
National United Party (NUP) 1
Laverwo Party 1
Vanuatu Progressive Development Party (VPDP) 1
Namarakieana Movement 1
Nagriamel Movement 1
Ngwasoanda Custom Movement (NCM) 1
Independents 1
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
51
Number of women elected
1
Percentage of women elected
1.9%
Women Directly Elected
1
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
51
Total number of women after the election
1
Percentage of women after the election
1.9%
First-term parliamentarians
No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
No information available
Date of the first session
11 Feb 2025

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Felix Stephen Dorrick (Male)
Date of birth: 16 Sep 1973
Political party
Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV)
Date of election
11 Feb 2025

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No