Page:Vanuatu constitution.pdf/9



CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU 17. Election of members of Parliament

(1) Parliament shall consist of members elected on the basis of universal franchise through an electoral system which includes an element of proportional representation so as to ensure fair representation of different political groups and opinions.

(2) Subject to such conditions or restrictions as may be prescribed by Parliament every citizen of Vanuatu who is at least 25 years of age shall be eligible to stand for election to Parliament.

18. Electoral Commission

(1) There shall be an Electoral Commission consisting of a chairman and two members appointed by the President of the Republic acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

(2) The following persons shall not be qualified for appointment as chairman or member of the Commission–
 * (a) a member of or a candidate for election to Parliament;
 * (b) a member of or a candidate for election to local government or municipal councils;
 * (c) a member of or a candidate for election to the National Council of Chiefs;
 * (d) any person who exercises any position of responsibility in a political party.

(3) A chairman or a member of the Commission shall vacate his office–
 * (a) at the expiration of 5 years from the date of his appointment; or
 * (b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a member of the Commission, would cause him to be disqualified for appointment as such.

19. Principal Electoral Officer

There shall be a Principal Electoral Officer who shall be a public servant.

20. Functions of Electoral Commission and Principal Electoral Officer

(1) The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for and shall supervise the registration of electors and the conduct of elections to Parliament, the National Council of Chiefs, local government and municipal councils. The Commission shall have such powers and functions relating to such registration and elections as may be prescribed by Parliament.

(2) The Principal Electoral Officer shall have such powers and functions relating to such registration and elections as may be prescribed by Parliament. The Principal Electoral Officer shall keep the Commission fully informed concerning the exercise of his functions and shall have the right to attend meetings of the Commission, and shall comply with any directions that the Commission may give to him in the exercise of his functions. Rh