Only 40 percent of leaders have submitted their annual returns, which is a requirement under the Leadership Code Act and Article 67 of the Constitution.

This covers the period from March 2024 to March 2025.

Vanuatu Ombudsman, Hamlison Bulu, told VBTC News that out of 1,091 leaders, only 447 have complied.

“There are 447 that actually submitted their annual return.”

One of the Annual Return officers at the Ombudsman’s Office, Joshua Allanson, said it is a duty that leaders must not ignore.

“Last week and this week I went around ministries to submit again this year, so it is like a duty.”

Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International, Dr Willie Tokon, said the government must recognise the office, increase its budget, and add more investigators so the office can properly carry out its work.

“Before last year, when the Ombudsman took some to court, the judge stated that they were late. The judge said they should have been brought earlier, which is why they are not afraid. If we don’t understand why the Ombudsman was set up, and if the Ombudsman does not have the budget to do investigations.”

Mr Bulu said there are many reasons why leaders fail to submit their annual returns.

“Now that we are in the new year, especially some leaders do not know the laws that concern leadership, and some leaders are in the islands.”

One leader, Cherol Ala, said it is a good thing.

“This is a good thing to have as a leader.”

Awareness is something the Ombudsman’s Office wants to work on, but the challenge of a 60 million vatu budget is not easy.