Two separate sittings of Parliament are set to take place this week.

The first is a Special Sitting which was initially scheduled for last Wednesday, but due to the lack of quorum, it could not proceed. As a result, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Steven Felix, has adjourned the Special Sitting to this Wednesday.

The second is the First Ordinary Sitting of Parliament, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 8.

During the upcoming Special Sitting, the Government is expected to introduce five proposed constitutional amendments to Vanuatu’s supreme law:

1. Amendment to Article 5 (i) and (k): To create provisions for the establishment of Economic Development Zones.
2. Gender Recognition: To define and recognize only two genders in Vanuatu – male and female.
3. Prime Minister Protection Clause: To prevent a Prime Minister from facing a motion of no confidence within the first 12 months of taking office.
4. Electoral Officer Position Change: To remove the Principal Electoral Officer from the authority of the Public Service Commission and place the role under the Electoral Commission.
5. Compulsory Referendum Voting: To make it mandatory for all eligible citizens to vote in any future national referendums.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s Ordinary Sitting will table a total of 19 bills for Parliament’s consideration, marking a busy legislative session ahead.

More to come..