The 2024 Vanuatu National Referendum asks voters to decide on two proposed constitutional amendments, Articles 17A and 17B, aimed at addressing political instability caused by members of parliament switching party allegiances.
Specifically:
Article 17A would require Members of Parliament to remain members of the political party they were elected to represent for their full term. If an MP resigns from their party or is terminated for withdrawing support, their parliamentary seat would be declared vacant.
Article 17B mandates that independent MPs and single-member party MPs must affiliate with an existing political party within 3 months of being elected. If they fail to do so, or later withdraw support from their affiliated party, their seat would be vacated.
The stated purpose of these amendments is to foster greater political stability by preventing MPs from party hopping or defecting during their term in office. However, critics argue it unduly restricts the democratic rights of elected representatives.
Voters will essentially vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on whether to enshrine Articles 17A and 17B into Vanuatu’s constitution through this national referendum being held on May 29, 2024. The outcome will determine if these political reform measures taking binding effect.
