The people of Penama, Malampa, Shefa, and Tafea Provinces will go to the polls on 8 July 2025 to elect new councilors for another four-year term. This election will also coincide with a municipal by-election and a provincial by-election, according to the Vanuatu Electoral Commission.

Edward Kaltamat, Chairman of the Vanuatu Electoral Commission, confirmed this week that voters in the four provinces will return to their polling stations to elect provincial representatives.

The preliminary voters list will be released on 30 March 2025, allowing voters to verify their details until 13 May 2025.

“Candidate applications will open on 7 May to give current councilors time to sort out any outstanding matters,” Kaltamat explained. “The registration will close on 17 May, and campaigns will run from 23 June until 5 July 2025.”

Alongside the provincial elections, by-elections will also be held in Port Vila Municipality and Sanma Province to fill vacant seats. The by-election in Port Vila is to fill a  vacant seat restricted only for females at the Freswota and Tasiriki Ward, while candidates will also contesting for a vacant seat in Sanma Provincial Council specifically the Santo Constituency on the same date.

The last elections in these four provinces were held in 2021, with Penama having 16 seats, Malampa 21, Shefa 18, and Tafea 19 seats.