Parties and Candidates

Vanuatu

PC001

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	d. No registration required
Comments:	The Constitution allows political parties to form freely. There is no legal provision for the registration of political parties, though the Electoral Office maintains a registry.
Source:	Bolenga, Jeannette (2006): Vanuatu: Limitations to the Independence of the EMB. Electoral Management Design: The International IDEA Handbook. (http://www.idea.int/publications/emd/upload/EMD_CS_Vanuatu.pdf); Constitution art. 4 (3).
Verified:	2025/03/27

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PC003

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship
Comments:	Subject to section 23 a person shall be eligible to stand as a candidate for election to Parliament if he – (a) is not disqualified from voting; has not received a sentence including a suspended sentence of a term or terms of imprisonment which has not ended; is not an undischarged bankrupt; has attained 25 years of age; and is a citizen
Source:	Representation of the People Act, as amended, art. 24(1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/VU/vanuatu-representation-of-the-people-act-1982-as/at_download/file
Verified:	2025/03/27

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PC008

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:	There are no provisions requiring affiliation with a political party to be a presidential or parliamentary candidate. Candidates are elected as individuals, irrespective of their political party affiliation.
Source:	Constitution; Representation of the People Act, as amended: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/pacific/VU/vanuatu-constitution-of-the-republic-of-vanuatu/at_download/file https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/em/electoral-management-case-studies/vanuatu-limitations-to-the-independence-of-the-emb
Verified:	2025/03/27

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PC012

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	a. No
Comments:	No provisions for public financing of political parties.
Source:	Constitution; Representation of the People Act, as amended.
Verified:	2025/03/27

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PC015

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	g. Not applicable
Comments:	There is no public funding of political parties.
Source:	Constitution; Representation of the People Act, as amended.
Verified:	2016/01/26

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PC017

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Political Parties are established as private organizations. There is no regulation of their funding Some political parties choose to register under the Charitable Organizations (Incorporation) Act "Candidates of the Vanuatu Presidential Party are funded externally,” [the VPIEF] added saying “some of them (candidates) who have business back up pay their own fees while fees for some others are paid for by sources outside of VPIEF.” "
Source:	Constitution; Representation of the People Act, as amended. https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/em/electoral-management-case-studies/vanuatu-limitations-to-the-independence-of-the-emb http://dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-presidential-party-is-not-financed-by-vpief/article_07516aca-c8c7-5190-82a2-c27b6260df59.html?mode=jqm
Verified:	2025/03/27

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