At Stake in this Election: 

On 29 May 2024, Vanuatu will hold its first national referendum. Voters will decide whether to accept an eighth constitutional amendment, previously passed by Parliament in December of 2023. The amendment would add articles 17A and 17B to the constitution, requiring members of Parliament to retain their political party affiliations throughout their term or be dismissed from Parliament. Members of Parliament who ran for election as a party member would have to retain that party affiliation, while members who ran as independent candidates or were elected as the sole representative of their party would have to declare an affiliation with a party represented in Parliament by multiple members within 3 months of the election.

Government Structure:  

• Chief of State: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022) 

• Head of Government: Prime Minister Charlot SALWAI (since 6 October 2023) 

• Assembly: unicameral Parliament (Palamen) with 52 seats

Electoral System:  

• The President is indirectly elected by members of Parliament and provincial presidents. The President may serve unlimited 5-year terms. 

• The Prime Minister is elected by and within Parliament following general elections. 

• In Parliament, all 52 members are directly elected by single non-transferrable vote and may serve unlimited terms of 4 years.

Last Referendum: 

Vanuatu has not held a referendum prior to 2024.

Information for Voters: 

2024 National Referendum / 2024 Nasonal Referandom (in English and Bislama)

Population 

• Population: 326,740 (2022 est.)

Gender Data: 

• Female Population: 162,430 (2022 est.) 

• CEDAW Status: Ratified (by accession) 8 September 1995 

• Gender Quota: No 

• Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 1 out of 51 (2%) in the Parliament  

• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.614, Medium, Rank 140 (2022) 

• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Not available

Disability Data: 

• CRPD Status: Signed 17 May 2007, Ratified 23 October 2008  

• Projected population with a disability: 52,278 (2022 est.)

IFES Resources: 

• Does IFES have a presence in Vanuatu: Yes, programming   

• Election Access: Yes 

• Election Judgements: Yes, 3 judgments and 5 resources