Gov't to allow only indigenous Ni-Vans to contest elections

The government of Vanuatu plans to undertake a key reform stipulating that only indigenous Vanuatu citizens can participate in provincial and national elections. This reform has been listed as a top priority in the government's "100-Day Plan."

The proposed reform has sparked strong criticism of "racism" from the parliamentary opposition. The opposition believes that this policy violates the spirit of the Vanuatu Constitution and could create divisions in society.

The intended goals of this electoral reform within the government's "100-Day Plan" are to strengthen the management of the citizenship program, increase public trust in citizenship procedures, maintain national identity, and strengthen the representation of culture in governance. The reform will focus on naturalized citizens, explicitly stipulating that "only third-generation citizens can participate in elections."

Opposition Leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau stated that this priority could be described as the current government legalizing racism. He argues that the framers of the constitution intended to grant citizenship without discrimination, under the premise of independence. Article 17 of the Constitution stipulates that Vanuatu citizens who are 25 years of age or older are eligible to stand for election to Parliament.

The Opposition Leader stated, "This proposed amendment, which must be put to a referendum, is likely to create divisions in society by creating categories of citizenship, and this is an open invitation by the Vanuatu government to legalize racism." He also pointed out that the government needs to address the more pressing issue of leaders failing to adequately represent voters, which is the crux of the problem, and that some within the current government may find themselves ineligible to run in future elections.

Robert Bohn, a Member of Parliament for Epi constituency and a naturalized citizen, stated that it is too early to comment on the matter. Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Napuat stated that the government will comment on the matter soon. Meanwhile, National Youth Council Chairman Moli Reuben stated that the council favors the government's directive policy of only allowing indigenous Vanuatu citizens to participate in elections.

Reuben stated, "Vanuatu has given naturalized citizens the same equal rights as our indigenous people, and this policy directive will safeguard future youth, that if some of them want to get into politics, there will be space for them to become Members of Parliament." Vanuatu has two naturalized citizens elected as Members of Parliament in the current legislature. The Electoral Commission under the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been tasked by the government to lead this priority.