Government MPs

Vanuatu PM and govt MPs retain seats after winning court battle

The 19 MPs had had their seats declared vacant by the former speaker Gracia Shadrack earlier this year after staging a protest and boycotting three consecutive sitting days.

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that the 19 MPs would retain their seats bringing an end to months of instability and uncertainty in Vanuatu politics.

According to the national broadcaster VBTC the ruling centred on the vagueness of the word 'absent' as used in the parliamentary standing orders.

It is unclear at this stage whether or not the ruling will be appealed.

     

Vanuatu Supreme Court upholds former Speaker’s decision to declare 19 government seats vacant

Justice Oliver Saksak delivered his ruling this afternoon.

The Government members who lose their seats as a result of the ruling are Prime Minister Bob Loughman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau, Marc Muelsul, Joshua Pikioune, Nakou Natuman, Samson Samsen, Edward Nalyal, Silas Bule, Mark Ati, Seule Simoen, Lenkon Bruno, Willia Pakoa, Willie Daniel, James Bule, Jay Ngwele, Johnny Koanapo, Anthony Harry, Xavier Harry and Edmund Julun.

Vanuatu Parliament adjourned to Wednesday

Speaker of Parliament, Gracia Shadrack, told Members of Parliament in the Chamber that based on powers given to the Speaker under the Standing Order, he was adjourning the meeting to Wednesday .

The reason behind the adjournment was due to pending cases in Court that are related to the current political impasse that saw the Speaker announcing the seats of 19 MPs being vacant before the Supreme Court issued an Exparte Order for the MPs to return to parliament as the Court deals with their case and other issues at hand.