13 Aug 2016

Vanuatu constitution to be changed for political reform

9:28 am on 13 August 2016

Proposed new legislation on political parties in Vanuatu means changes will need to be made to the country's constitution.

Seated second from left: Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai visits NIWA in Wellington, New Zealand. 10-08-2016

Seated second from left: Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai visits NIWA in Wellington, New Zealand. 10-08-2016 Photo: RNZI/ Johnny Blades

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai is in Auckland this week and said currently there was no existing legislation on political parties.

Mr Salwai said reforms on motions of no confidence could help put an end to the country's political instability by minimising instances of politicians crossing the floor for personal gain.

He said the proposed reforms also included reserved seats for women in parliament.

"We have to put some mechanisms in the constitution. Some provisions that can allow us to do legislation on political parties. And we can regulate the political parties to allow that we can run women," he said.

Charlot Salwai said consultations between parliament members who are reviewing the proposed reforms will end this month.

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