Parliament of Vanuatu is set to introduce five major amendments to the national Constitution during a special sitting scheduled for tomorrow, 30 May 2025, starting at 2PM.

In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister this week, the Government said that if Vanuatu continues to stand firm on the preamble and guiding principles of the Constitution, the country will stay on the right path. The Government emphasized the need for services to reach every part of the country and for Vanuatu to take a strong stand on important issues, even when facing external pressures or natural disasters.

The proposed amendments include:

Creation of Economic Development Zones:
Changes to Article 5 (i)(k) will allow the establishment of designated Economic Development Zones, where investors can set up businesses with simplified processes compared to current systems.

Recognition of Only Two Genders:
Parliament will vote to officially recognize only two genders — male and female — despite broader international recognition of diverse gender identities.

Grace Period for Prime Ministers:
A proposed change would introduce a 12-month grace period during which a Prime Minister cannot face a motion of no confidence. A similar proposal was previously withdrawn but has now returned for Parliament’s consideration.

Changes to the Position of Principal Electoral Officer:
The Principal Electoral Officer would no longer fall under the Public Service Commission but instead come under the Electoral Commission.

Compulsory Voting:
The final proposed amendment would make voting compulsory for all eligible citizens in future elections.

VBTC News understands that if some amendments, particularly the grace period and gender recognition proposals, are passed, they must also be endorsed through a national referendum.

Under the Constitution, any amendments require a two-thirds majority in Parliament — 36 out of 52 votes — to be officially adopted.