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2016 Vanuatuan general election

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2016 Vanuatuan general election
Vanuatu
← 2012 22 January 2016 2020 →

All 52 seats in Parliament
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
Vanua'aku Pati Joe Natuman 11.91 6 −2
UMP Serge Vohor 9.73 6 +1
Land & Justice Ralph Regenvanu 7.10 7 +3
National United Ham Lin̄i 5.76 4 0
People's Progressive Sato Kilman 4.84 1 −5
Iauko 4.40 4 +1
National Development Christophe Emelee 4.37 2 New
Presidential Louis Kalnpel 3.74 1 +1
Nagriamel Moli Abel Nako 3.65 3 0
RMC Charlot Salwai 3.44 3 0
Natatok Alfred Carlot 2.67 1 −1
Green Confederation Moana Carcasses Kalosil 2.52 2 −1
Leaders Party Jothan Napat 2.17 1 New
Labour 1.57 1 +1
Friend Melanesian 1.30 1 +1
People's Services 0.91 1 0
Independents 18.49 8 +4
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Sato Kilman
People's Progressive
Charlot Salwai
RMC

General elections were held in Vanuatu on 22 January 2016. The previous elections occurred in October 2012. The president of Vanuatu, Baldwin Lonsdale, dissolved the Parliament of Vanuatu in November 2015.[1] This occurred after the conviction of 14 parliamentarians for bribery. The convicted MPs include former Prime Ministers Serge Vohor and Moana Carcasses Kalosil. The president called for a snap election to form a new government.

Background

[edit]

Vanuatu has a unicameral parliament with 52 Members of Parliament. The people elect their members by voting for one candidate. In multi-member constituencies, Vanuatu uses the single non-transferable vote system and in single-member districts, first-past-the-post voting is used.[2] Each parliamentarian holds office for a term of 4 years. In Vanuatu, there are eight single-member districts and nine multi-seat constituencies. The district magnitude of multi-seat constituencies has a range of two members to seven members for each constituency. Citizens elect the President of Vanuatu and the government elects the Prime Minister of Vanuatu.

Historically, the Vanuatuan government and society divided itself along linguistic lines. The Vanua'aku Party represented the Anglophone interests and the Union of Moderate Parties represented the Francophone interests.[3] Over time the linguistic divide has diminished as Vanuatu established a stronger national identity post-independence. Party allegiances have become less strong as factions split and formed new political parties.

In recent years more than 30 parties have won seats in the Vanuatuan parliament.[4] A ruling government needs to have a majority of parliamentarians to pass legislation and effectively rule. Consequently, coalitions are necessary to govern in Vanuatu. Coalitions often struggle to find a common legislative agenda to lead the nation which can be a cause of political instability. Following the 2012 Vanuatu election, there were five successive Cabinets of Vanuatu which were either formed after votes of no-confidence or after members had deserted the cabinet for the opposition.

Clientelism has been a problem in Vanuatuan politics since the country's independence in 1980.[3] Often the lines between clientelism and corruption in Vanuatu have been ill-defined. The successful conviction of 14 MPs, including two former prime ministers, for bribery was one of the largest steps taken to combat corruption. The Supreme Court found that while in the opposition in 2014, former prime minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil bribed parliamentarians with 35 million vatu (US$300,000) to support a no-confidence motion. He then became deputy Prime Minister in Sato Kilman's Cabinet. The court convicted Carcasses and the other 13 parliamentarians, including the Speaker Marcellino Pipite, for offering and receiving bribes; they sentenced the MPs in November 2015 to three years in jail and banned them from public office for 10 years.[5] As this verdict was delivered while President Lonsdale was out of the country, the speaker assumed the role of the president and issued pardons for all involved including himself. Lonsdale overturned the pardons when he returned to Vanuatu the following day. As several of the convicted parliamentarians were members of the Cabinet of Vanuatu, Prime Minister Sato Kilman was unable to effectively rule. Kilman was not able to form a new government - nearly 1/3 of MPs were in jail - which led to governmental gridlock causing the Parliament to be dissolved by the president. The traditional chiefs of Vanuatu - the Malvatumauri - called for calm during this process and asked that the people allow for the legal process to unfold, suggesting that their power is mostly ceremonial and is limited politically.[5] Following this failure to form a new government, Lonsdale called a snap election for 22 January 2016.

Campaign

[edit]

The official campaign began on 5 January 2016. A total of 261 candidates contested the elections, including 68 independents and 193 representing 36 political parties.[6] The convicted MPs were not permitted to run as one cannot run for office in Vanuatu if they have a criminal conviction.[7] Candidates who could afford to pay for airtime dominated mainstream media during the campaign; social media played an important role in this election.[8] Only 10 women contested seats in this election and youth engagement in the campaign and election appears to have increased from 2012 but remained low.[8]

Conduct

[edit]

Polls opened throughout the country on 22 January at 7:30AM and closed at 4:30PM.[9] To facilitate high turnout levels, the government declared the day a public holiday. Schools, churches and other public centers transformed into polling stations. The Commonwealth and the Melanesian Spearhead Group observed the election to ensure electoral integrity.

Both groups of international observers remarked that turnout was low. The process of voting in Vanuatu works as follows: People who are 18 and above can vote if they have a voter card. The details are verified twice with the citizen then given an envelope with a sheet with the name, picture and political party symbol on a piece of paper. Each candidate had a different colored sticky paper attachment. In the voting booth, the voter identifies their preferred candidate, rips off the corresponding piece of paper and puts it into the envelope. The envelope is then dropped into a ballot box. The voter then retrieves their voter card and their thumb is inked. Voters are also able to proxy vote for two others while they cast their own vote.[9]

The election day was peaceful and orderly.[10] Voters headed to the polls early. Women and youth turned out to vote in high numbers. The conduct at polling stations did not vary around the country, suggesting relatively sufficient following of electoral rules.

After the polls closed at 4:30PM, the workers at the polling stations counted the ballots. As Vanuatu employs the first-past-the-post system and the single non-transferable vote system, the process of counting the votes was straightforward. Each candidate's number of votes were tallied and sent to the independently run Vanuatu Electoral Commission who announced the winners for each parliamentary seat.[9]

The Electoral Integrity Project, an academic group that aims to quantify the integrity of elections worldwide, studied Vanuatu's 2016 election. By asking experts on Vanuatuan politics to rank the integrity of various electoral issues, the group found that the election was generally fair and just. However, they also suggest in their rankings that voters may have been bribed and that some may have received cash for votes. It was found likely that politicians offered patronage to voters, confirming at least some clientelism in Vanuatuan politics.

Results

[edit]

As candidates only need to receive more votes than their competitor, all MPs were elected with 41% or less of the vote.[11] All parties received less than 15% of the vote. The races were extremely tight – in the constituency of Paama, MP Fred William Tasso won his seat by seven votes.[12] Multiple new political parties won seats in this Parliament and the percentage of votes roughly equaled the percentage of seats granted.

In the official results, the Melanesian Progressive Party obtained one seat at the Éfaté constituency; however, weeks later the Court ordered a recount of the ballots and awarded the disputed seat to the Land and Justice Party.[13]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Vanua'aku Pati13,46311.916–2
Union of Moderate Parties10,9999.736+1
Land and Justice Party8,0287.107+3
National United Party6,5115.7640
People's Progressive Party5,4694.841–5
Iauko Group4,9794.404+1
Vanuatu National Development Party4,9424.372New
Vanuatu Presidential Party4,2343.741+1
Nagriamel4,1283.6530
Reunification Movement for Change3,8873.4430
Natatok Indigenous People's Democratic Party3,0242.671–1
Green Confederation2,8512.522–1
Leaders Party of Vanuatu2,4592.171New
Vanuatu Republican Party2,0201.790–1
Vanuatu Labour Party1,7801.571+1
Vanuatu Liberal Democratic Party1,5651.380–1
Friend Melanesian Party1,4651.301+1
Vanuatu National Party1,2841.140–1
Unity for Change1,2611.120New
Hope Party1,1801.040New
People's Services Party1,0320.9110
Melanesian Progressive Party9920.880–2
Moderate Alliance Party7010.620New
Vanuatu Progressive Development Party5970.530–1
Vanuatu New Vision in Development Party4470.400New
Tafea Moderate Alliance4290.380New
Vanuatu Progressive Republican Farmer Party3550.310New
United Liberation Front3270.2900
Vanuatu Democratic Party3270.2900
Leaders Party for Change3220.280New
Vete Alliance3060.270New
Vemarana3040.2700
Vanuatu Family First Party2110.1900
Vanuatu Community Reform Party1570.140New
People's Action Party800.0700
Vanuatu United and Equal Rights Part470.040New
Vanuatu Democratic Alliance and Liberation Party for Change80.0100
Independents20,90418.498+4
Total113,075100.00520
Valid votes113,07599.00
Invalid/blank votes1,1411.00
Total votes114,216100.00
Registered voters/turnout200,15957.06
Source: Extraordinary Gazette[12][14]

By constituency

[edit]
Ambae
CandidatePartyVotes%
Jacob MataNagriamel72014.64
Jay NgweleIauko Group64113.04
Alickson ViraNatatok59312.06
James BuleNational United Party50510.27
Richard MeraVanua'aku Pati50510.27
Peter Vuta [fr]Vanua'aku Pati49210.01
Hambert ToaIndependent4368.87
Michael LiuLiberal Democratic Party4268.66
Steven TahiPeople's Progressive Party3066.22
Delphine MeraGreen Confederation1412.87
Jameson Gwero BaniPeople's Services Party1122.28
Dickinson VusilaiIndependent250.51
Nancy Bue NamoliVanuatu United and Equal Rights Party150.31
Total4,917100.00
Valid votes4,91799.19
Invalid/blank votes400.81
Total votes4,957100.00
Registered voters/turnout8,41458.91
Ambrym
CandidatePartyVotes%
Bruno LeingkoneNational United Party82321.72
Albert Abel WilliamsLand and Justice Party71018.73
Peter BongGreen Confederation65617.31
Maki SimelumVanua'aku Pati53414.09
Joshua BongUnion of Moderate Parties49813.14
Jossie Masmas [fr]Vanuatu Republican Party2927.70
Douglas L. TangtangPeople's Progressive Party2737.20
Pierre David DahVanuatu Community Reform Party40.11
Total3,790100.00
Valid votes3,79098.31
Invalid/blank votes651.69
Total votes3,855100.00
Registered voters/turnout5,53769.62
Banks
CandidatePartyVotes%
Jack WonaVanuatu National Development Party71727.81
Dunstan Hilton [fr]People's Progressive Party67726.26
Christopher MackenzieNational United Party59923.24
Batick ManusiaNatatok55221.41
Victor RonIndependent331.28
Total2,578100.00
Valid votes2,57898.47
Invalid/blank votes401.53
Total votes2,618100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,74269.96
Efate
CandidatePartyVotes%
Norris KalmetUnion of Moderate Parties2,06915.22
Joshua KalsakauVanuatu Labour Party1,39010.23
Jerry KanasIndependent9126.71
Gillion WilliamLand and Justice Party8436.20
Nato TaiwiaMelanesian Progressive Party8406.18
Matai Kalwatman Alista NoelIndependent8115.97
Alfred Rollen CarlotNatatok7605.59
Pakoa KaltongaVanua'aku Pati6955.11
Michel TaravakiPeople's Progressive Party6825.02
Willie Tom KalotukReunification Movement for Change6714.94
Jean Noel Anis JosephVanuatu National Development Party5934.36
Elmo JosephVanua'aku Pati5694.19
Michel Kalworai KalnawiIndependent5103.75
Ghislain KaltackIndependent4923.62
Manuel CarlotVanuatu Democratic Party2912.14
Levi Ishmael TarosaIauko Group2892.13
Jean-Claude KanegaiVanuatu Progressive Development Party2681.97
Markson NibtikVanuatu Presidential Party2631.94
John Batty KaltakaeVanuatu National Party1871.38
Michel Ova Mokosei TaripakoaVanuatu National Party1641.21
Yan Taho Dapang AmosIndependent1130.83
Seule TongVanuatu Community Reform Party880.65
Amos Guy WaianeVanuatu New Vision in Development Party560.41
Amos Tatangis SheyrilldIndependent350.26
Total13,591100.00
Valid votes13,59198.84
Invalid/blank votes1601.16
Total votes13,751100.00
Registered voters/turnout30,47945.12
Epi
CandidatePartyVotes%
Isaac Daniel TongoliluIndependent52818.03
Seule SimeonUnion of Moderate Parties51117.45
Makin Valia RitaLand and Justice Party46916.01
Isaac HamarliuPeople's Progressive Party41514.17
John NilVanuatu National Development Party32210.99
Robert Bohn SikolVanuatu National Development Party2869.76
Elwyn Saling AmbataIndependent1745.94
Toka Keven JoeVanua'aku Pati1163.96
Bal Abel NashReunification Movement for Change1083.69
Total2,929100.00
Valid votes2,92998.85
Invalid/blank votes341.15
Total votes2,963100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,90575.88
Luganville
CandidatePartyVotes%
Matai Seremaiah [fr]Independent1,81831.11
Marc AtiIauko Group96616.53
Antoine PikiouneNagriamel69511.89
Kalvao Moli [fr]Hope Party65911.28
George WellsNational United Party64210.99
Donald RestuetuneVanuatu Presidential Party4567.80
Charley UlasUnion of Moderate Parties2995.12
James HingeIndependent1602.74
Judah SibaIndependent851.45
Marie-Helene BarthelemyLiberal Democratic Party631.08
Total5,843100.00
Valid votes5,84399.12
Invalid/blank votes520.88
Total votes5,895100.00
Registered voters/turnout13,16744.77
Maewo
CandidatePartyVotes%
Ian WilsonIndependent1,23966.26
Philip BoedoroVanua'aku Pati63133.74
Total1,870100.00
Valid votes1,87098.94
Invalid/blank votes201.06
Total votes1,890100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,63771.67
Malekula
CandidatePartyVotes%
Sato KilmanPeople's Progressive Party1,0657.93
Esmon SaimonVanua'aku Pati1,0187.58
Marcellino BarthelemyReunification Movement for Change8186.09
Don Ken StephenPeople's Services Party7185.34
Jerome LudvauneUnion of Moderate Parties6684.97
Sala JohnLand and Justice Party6634.93
Gracia ShadrackIndependent6294.68
Daniel NaletLand and Justice Party6084.53
Simeon KaltalioVanua'aku Pati5944.42
Barthelemy TuliliVanua'aku Pati5363.99
Menzies Samuel JackVanua'aku Pati5153.83
John TerryGreen Confederation5023.74
François BatickIndependent4843.60
Mondine RomoneIndependent4213.13
Kalros SimeonVanua'aku Pati3982.96
Tony AtaIndependent3812.84
Dick TetePeople's Progressive Party3782.81
Gordon RegenvanuNatatok3772.81
James StephenNational United Party3602.68
Kalros KarliIndependent3362.50
Browny Donna JeremihaVanuatu National Development Party2832.11
Lazard MeltenekneimNagriamel2501.86
Peter ManwoFriend Melanesian Party2501.86
David Manlau LovisFamily First Party2111.57
Willie Apia MasingVanuatu National Party2071.54
Peter OnisIndependent1881.40
Kisito TeilembUnion of Moderate Parties1871.39
Jeneck PatunvanuVanuatu National Party1451.08
George Wesley LapiUnity for Change1000.74
Rex Owen IssacharHope Party620.46
Fabien MalwersetsVanuatu Republican Party450.33
Joel NiptikIndependent200.15
Timothy NibtickReunification Movement for Change180.13
Jimmon EsmonMelanesian Progressive Party00.00
Total13,435100.00
Valid votes13,43599.31
Invalid/blank votes930.69
Total votes13,528100.00
Registered voters/turnout17,14178.92
Malo–Aore
CandidatePartyVotes%
Havo MolisaleNagriamel89237.65
Uri WarawaraLand and Justice Party83535.25
Moulin TaboutiHope Party45919.38
Jacktasi GeorgeVanuatu Presidential Party1837.72
Total2,369100.00
Valid votes2,36998.79
Invalid/blank votes291.21
Total votes2,398100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,62066.24
Paama
CandidatePartyVotes%
Fred William Tasso [fr]Land and Justice Party20827.26
Andy Job SamVanuatu National Development Party20126.34
Morris James ManonIauko Group15219.92
Johnny Albert TomateluVanua'aku Pati12416.25
Glen TakauPeople's Progressive Party567.34
Peter James H.Independent111.44
Paul Avock HungaiNatatok101.31
David JoelNagriamel10.13
Total763100.00
Valid votes76399.22
Invalid/blank votes60.78
Total votes769100.00
Registered voters/turnout99877.05
Pentecost
CandidatePartyVotes%
Silas BuleNational United Party1,16715.20
Charlot SalwaiReunification Movement for Change86111.21
Francois Chani TabisalNational United Party7119.26
Ham LiniNational United Party5877.65
Richard Walsh LeonaIndependent5797.54
Bergmans Bebe Guru MolgogoiVanuatu Republican Party5657.36
Salathiel TaribasReunification Movement for Change5126.67
Russel NariIauko Group4776.21
Steven SauUnion of Moderate Parties3314.31
David TosulLand and Justice Party3304.30
Jean Baptiste SaltukroIndependent3114.05
Rolanson Bule TorNatatok2883.75
Danstan TateNagriamel2292.98
Keithson LiuPeople's Services Party2022.63
Gabriel Gulgul WareatVanuatu Presidential Party1972.57
Vincent Boulekone [fr]Green Confederation1722.24
Joseph RonoIndependent1211.58
Michael Tamata SibaVanuatu United and Equal Rights Party320.42
Norbert SumsumModerate Alliance Party60.08
Total7,678100.00
Valid votes7,67898.25
Invalid/blank votes1371.75
Total votes7,815100.00
Registered voters/turnout12,40263.01
Port Vila
CandidatePartyVotes%
Kenneth NatapeiVanua'aku Pati1,2798.33
Ishmael KalsakauUnion of Moderate Parties1,2468.12
Ralph RegenvanuLand and Justice Party1,1547.52
Jean-Pierre Nirua [fr]Independent1,1487.48
Kalo SeuleGreen Confederation1,0396.77
Ephraim KalsakauIndependent8435.49
Ulrich SumptohUnion of Moderate Parties7755.05
Charles LiniUnity for Change7384.81
Saby NatongaModerate Alliance Party6954.53
Nadia KanegaiPeople's Progressive Party5783.77
Louis KalnpelVanuatu Presidential Party5553.62
Joel George ToaIndependent5443.54
John WilliamIndependent5143.35
Terry KapahLeaders Party of Vanuatu4282.79
Jerry Tafan Naieng NiatuUnity for Change4232.76
Tony Berry HoseaVanuatu National Development Party3332.17
Abel DavidVete Alliance3061.99
Jeffery Wilfred MasoerangiNational United Party3051.99
Obi Mial DanielVanuatu National Development Party3001.95
Willie JimmyLiberal Democratic Party2961.93
Johnny Kuanpeka TakanaIndependent2641.72
Alain CarlotNatatok2611.70
Pierre ToreIndependent2051.34
Jean-Luc CassartVanuatu National Party1831.19
Ruben Olul NungnungVanuatu National Party1741.13
Barak SopéMelanesian Progressive Party1520.99
Marcel MaliliIndependent1350.88
Felix NguyenIndependent950.62
Hensley H. GaraePeople's Action Party800.52
Wendy HimfordUnion of Moderate Parties680.44
Roy Obed James MatarikiVanuatu Community Reform Party620.40
Badley VanvaVanuatu New Vision in Development Party520.34
Jimmy James MoliIndependent450.29
Maxime Carlot KormanVanuatu Democratic Party360.23
Antoine BoudierIndependent320.21
Daniel MolisaVanuatu Democratic Alliance and Liberation Party for Change80.05
Total15,351100.00
Valid votes15,35199.09
Invalid/blank votes1410.91
Total votes15,492100.00
Registered voters/turnout37,31541.52
Santo
CandidatePartyVotes%
Hosea Ovock Rothul NevuIauko Group1,2998.23
Alfred MaohLand and Justice Party1,2247.75
Samson SamsenVanuatu Presidential Party1,0986.95
Gaetan PikinouneNagriamel9185.81
Rick Mahe TchamakoReunification Movement for Change8995.69
Edwin Amblus MacrevethFriend Melanesian Party7614.82
Ronald Warsal KalmaseiVanua'aku Pati6644.20
Sakaes LuluPeople's Progressive Party6454.08
Vatout Moliare MaliuUnion of Moderate Parties6173.91
Livo MeleLiberal Democratic Party6123.88
Silas RocrocUnion of Moderate Parties6033.82
Kandy NormanUnion of Moderate Parties5713.62
Collin TaviVanua'aku Pati5363.39
Johnathan ArutapeVanuatu Presidential Party4863.08
Easter RojoFriend Melanesian Party4542.88
John LumNagriamel4232.68
Jacob BaniIndependent4162.63
Sela MolisaVanua'aku Pati4032.55
Simon TimothyVanuatu National Development Party3552.25
Jean Ravou Akii KolomouléVanuatu Progressive Republican Farmer Party3552.25
Peter StevensVemarana3041.93
Pierre Chanel Andimele MarsalLeaders Party of Vanuatu2941.86
Gratiano PipiteVanuatu Republican Party2821.79
Valerien OvaUnion of Moderate Parties2601.65
François TavuiruVanuatu Presidential Party2451.55
Mike PaululumPeople's Progressive Party2351.49
Lindo RavhorUnion of Moderate Parties2131.35
Morris SengoNational United Party1901.20
Gaspard Moli PalaudVanuatu Republican Party1160.73
Jonah Simeon KalorickIndependent1000.63
Jean-Dominique RaupepeIndependent840.53
Elizabeth MoliIndependent660.42
Tony BoroniIndependent540.34
Manina Juanita PacketeIndependent90.06
Roger KeyIndependent00.00
Total15,791100.00
Valid votes15,79199.37
Invalid/blank votes1000.63
Total votes15,891100.00
Registered voters/turnout25,86161.45
Shepherds
CandidatePartyVotes%
Toara Daniel [fr]Green Confederation34143.16
Harry DanielVanuatu Progressive Development Party32941.65
Atis Kalo ManarotoVanuatu National Development Party10813.67
John M. ManuakeIndependent60.76
Noel FaionalaveLiberal Democratic Party60.76
Total790100.00
Valid votes79098.75
Invalid/blank votes101.25
Total votes800100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,18367.62
Southern Islands
CandidatePartyVotes%
Tomker Netvunei NalingUnion of Moderate Parties50425.30
Edward Nalyal MolouVanua'aku Pati48524.35
Ben LeeshiIndependent44322.24
Joe Iautu TureLeaders Party for Change32216.16
Meitai TamasuiLand and Justice Party23811.95
Total1,992100.00
Valid votes1,99298.91
Invalid/blank votes221.09
Total votes2,014100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,75973.00
Tanna
CandidatePartyVotes%
Joe NatumanVanua'aku Pati1,4799.09
Jotham NapatLeaders Party of Vanuatu1,4719.04
Bob LoughmanVanua'aku Pati1,0586.50
Tom Noam IouniwanIndependent9435.80
Nakou NatumanUnion of Moderate Parties9035.55
Johnny KoanapoVanua'aku Pati8325.11
Andrew Solomon NapuatLand and Justice Party7464.59
Emanuel Xavier HarryIauko Group7344.51
Robin Tom KapapaVanuatu Republican Party7204.43
Jimmy Tom LumeVanuatu Presidential Party6333.89
Richard Namel RuanIndependent5923.64
Morkin Steven [fr]Union of Moderate Parties5883.61
Andrew Namhat KausiamaIndependent5813.57
William Nissian KielIndependent5573.42
Benson Willie Samuels DhapahanIndependent5313.26
Jalson Willie KodaTafea Moderate Alliance4292.64
Yaris Leon YawahVanuatu Labour Party3902.40
Roger KielIndependent3582.20
Mary Kaviamu JackIndependent3402.09
James MaukuraVanuatu New Vision in Development Party3392.08
Peter SakitaIndependent3332.05
Stevens Natouka YapoumIndependent3091.90
Jimmy Nanuman NipoLeaders Party of Vanuatu2661.64
Louis Kaurua KausiamaVanuatu National Party2221.36
Joe NoclamVanuatu National Development Party1711.05
James Natman Lalo IamakLiberal Democratic Party1370.84
Christian Cranois IalouIndependent1220.75
Kipsen Niespo YamaimaiVanuatu Presidential Party1180.73
William Loumai LouhmanNatatok1120.69
Jacques Nauka MeriagoUnion of Moderate Parties880.54
Harry Able ArramIndependent620.38
Willie Smith KawaNational United Party560.34
Daniel Felix IatoIndependent270.17
Jennifer Kapahai ManuaIndependent190.12
Lui Namark EtapIndependent30.02
Peter Niamak JeremiahIndependent00.00
Total16,269100.00
Valid votes16,26999.15
Invalid/blank votes1390.85
Total votes16,408100.00
Registered voters/turnout26,55861.78
Tongoa
CandidatePartyVotes%
Kalo Pakoa Songi LanoIauko Group42133.15
Kalo Eric Pakoatau MarakiwolaNational United Party34727.32
John Marc Bell Tapanga SaruruVanuatu National Development Party24419.21
George Kerby JohnPeople's Progressive Party15912.52
Willie NoelNatatok715.59
Harrison John ManarotoLiberal Democratic Party251.97
Willie Ruben AbelVanuatu Community Reform Party30.24
Total1,270100.00
Valid votes1,27099.30
Invalid/blank votes90.70
Total votes1,279100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,09561.05
Torres
CandidatePartyVotes%
Christophe EmeleeVanuatu National Development Party1,02955.65
Basil HopkinsUnited Liberation Front32717.69
Luke DiniIndependent27214.71
Stanley WomackNational United Party21911.84
Raoulé Woleg AustinVanuatu National Party20.11
Total1,849100.00
Valid votes1,84997.68
Invalid/blank votes442.32
Total votes1,893100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,34680.69

Aftermath

[edit]

As there was not a clear majority of seats won by a single political party, parliamentarians from eight political parties and independent groups created a coalition to form a government.[15] This coalition called for Charlot Salwai, a francophone, to be elected as Prime Minister on 11 February 2016. The opposition did not oppose this motion and Salwai was elected Prime Minister of Vanuatu by parliamentary vote.[15] He declared his Cabinet the following day.

Portfolio Minister Party
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Reunification of Movements for Change
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Trade Joe Natuman Vanua'aku Pati
Minister for Internal Affairs Alfred Maoh Graon mo Jastis Party
Minister for Foreign Affairs Bruno Leingkone National United Party
Minister for Finance Gaetan Pikioune Nagriamel
Minister for Lands Ralph Regenvanu Graon mo Jastis Party
Minister for Public Utilities Jotham Napat Leaders Party of Vanuatu
Minister for Justice Ronald Warsal Vanua'aku Pati
Minister for Climate Change Ham Lini National United Party
Minister for Education Jean-Pierre Nirua Independent
Minister for Health Toara Daniel Vanuatu Green Confederation
Minister for Youth and Sport Norris Jack Kalmet Union of Moderate Parties
Minister for Agriculture Seremaia Matai Independent
Source: Vanuatu Daily Digest[16]

Subsequent by-elections

[edit]

2016 Malo/Aore by-election

[edit]

A by-election was called in June 2016 to elect an MP for the Malo/Aore constituency after the death of Havo Molisale. Uri Warawara of the Land and Justice Party defeated Bani Livo, an independent candidate.[17]

CandidatePartyVotes%
Uri WarawaraLand and Justice Party65929.56
Bani LivoIndependent47621.35
Moli Juri HavoIndependent32214.45
George WellsIndependent29113.06
Makali BaniuriNagriamel24210.86
Toka MoliaveaPeople's Progressive Party1838.21
Harold WaraheseIndependent562.51
Total2,229100.00
Valid votes2,22997.25
Invalid/blank votes632.75
Total votes2,292100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,62063.31
Majority1838.21
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post[18][19]

2018 Tanna by-election

[edit]

Caused by the incumbent Joe Natuman being convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The election was held on 25 September 2018. Jimmy Nipo was elected.

CandidateParty
Jimmy Nipo NanumanLeaders Party of Vanuatu
Harry Iati Nakat NamakVanua'aku Pati
Jaick CharlieRural Development Party
Emanuel Xavier HarryIauko Group
Robin Tom KapapaUnion of Moderate Parties
George IapsonIndependent
Mariango Jacques NaukaIndependent
Peter Marcel NikiatuKia Koe
Francois John KassoVanuatu National Democratic Party
Jocelyn Rose SamLeleon Vanua Democratic Party
Total
Source: [20]

2019 Efate Rural by-election

[edit]

Caused by the death of incumbent MP Jerry Kanas (elected as an independent before joining Leaders Party of Vanuatu).[21] Held on 2 September 2019, it resulted in a victory for Edwin Kalorisu of the Leaders Party.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Edwin KalorisuLeaders Party of Vanuatu1,76823.57
Timothy ThomasReunification Movement for Change1,41118.81
William MalasNew Nation Party1,21516.20
Stanley Kaltoi JohnVanua'aku Pati1,02513.67
Michael TaravakiVanuatu Liberal Movement97613.01
John Tavasei AlfredLand and Justice Party94612.61
Fateful ZakariPeople's Progressive Party1592.12
Total7,500100.00
Valid votes7,50098.31
Invalid/blank votes1291.69
Total votes7,629100.00
Registered voters/turnout32,60723.40
Majority3574.76
Source: Vanuatu Electoral Office[22]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Clark, Helen (2015-12-01). "Vanuatu: President Dissolves Parliament". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  2. ^ International, IDEA (2016-01-01). "Electoral System for National Legislature - Vanuatu". www.idea.int. Retrieved 2017-04-15.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b Van Trease, Howard (2005-11-01). "The Operation of the single non-transferable vote system in Vanuatu". Commonwealth & Comparative Politics. 43 (3): 296–332. doi:10.1080/14662040500304833. ISSN 1466-2043.
  4. ^ Union, Inter-Parliamentary. "IPU database: VANUATU (Parliament), Last elections". www.ipu.org. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  5. ^ a b Forsyth, Miranda; Batley, James (2016-07-02). "What the Political Corruption Scandal of 2015 Reveals about Checks and Balances in Vanuatu Governance". The Journal of Pacific History. 51 (3): 255–277. doi:10.1080/00223344.2016.1214247. ISSN 0022-3344.
  6. ^ Republic of Vanuatu IFES
  7. ^ Union, Inter-Parliamentary. "IPU database: VANUATU (Parliament), Electoral system". www.ipu.org. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  8. ^ a b Observer Group, Commonwealth (2016-01-22). "Vanuatu General Elections" (PDF). The Commonwealth.
  9. ^ a b c Observer Group, Commonwealth (2016-01-22). "Vanuatu General Elections" (PDF). The Commonwealth.
  10. ^ Saneem, Mohammed (2016-02-18). "The Voting and Counting Process in Vanuatu - 2016 (Snap) General Election". LinkedIn.
  11. ^ "A deeper look at the Vanuatu election". Pacific Institute of Public Policy. Retrieved 2017-04-15.
  12. ^ a b "Republic of Vanuatu Extraordinary Gazette No. 1" (PDF). 1 February 2016.
  13. ^ "One more MP for Vanuatu's GJP". Radio New Zealand. 25 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Publication of Results & Declaration of Candidates Elected for the 2016 Snap General Election".
  15. ^ a b Forsyth, Miranda; Batley, James (2016-07-02). "What the Political Corruption Scandal of 2015 Reveals about Checks and Balances in Vanuatu Governance". The Journal of Pacific History. 51 (3): 255–277. doi:10.1080/00223344.2016.1214247. ISSN 0022-3344.
  16. ^ "New Govt committed to change, announces Cabinet" Archived 11 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Vanuatu Daily Digest, 12 February 2016
  17. ^ "Unofficial results - Graon Mo Jastis Party leading Malo Aore by-election". RNZ. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  18. ^ Selmen, Harrison (7 July 2016). "Warawara officially declared Malo/Aore winner". Vanuatu Daily Post. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  19. ^ Selmen, Harrison (18 June 2016). "7 candidates declared for Malo/Aore by-election". Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  20. ^ "Alliances to determine by-election outcome". Vanuatu Daily Post. 24 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Vanuatu MP Jerry Kanas dies". RNZ. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  22. ^ "Official Result of Efate Rural by-election" (PDF). Vanuatu Electoral Office. Retrieved 23 April 2022.