Vanuatu has delayed the election of the head of its Malvatumauri, or council of chiefs, until September, as the government faces criticism over legislative changes.
Malvatumauri acting-President, Seni Maor Tirsupe, was to leave his position in April but has stayed on, as local chiefs disagree with how to appoint a replacement.
Mackenzie Smith reports.
Chairman of Vanuatu National Council of Chiefs, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe
Photo: RNZI/Len Garae
Transcript
Elections for the Malvatumauri, which advises the Vanuatu government on local and cultural matters, were scheduled for July but have been deferred after government consultations with chiefs stalled.
This is because of plans to implement changes to the appointment of chiefs, including new eligibility criteria.
The exact changes are unclear but Minister for Justice and Social Welfare, Ronald Warsal, says the process was previously unregulated.
Mr Warsal says the government now faces opposition to the plans.
"There have been numerous complaints and criticisms raised from a few chiefs on a few of the islands on the issues and the option of the new election rules."
Mr Warsal says the rules are not new, and were approved by the Malvatumauri more than a decade ago but were not implemented until now.
One of the opponents, Russel Nari from the newly-formed Campaign for Justice group, says the changes are holding up the process.
"Because a lot of the nakamals [meeting places] and the customaries have yet to confirm [to] their rightful authorities, then this process comes in, so today it's a lot of confusion and also creates a lot of disputes."
He says instead of implementing the changes now, they should be introduced over the next five year term until the next elections are held.
This is Mackenzie Smith.
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