The Operation of the Single Non-Transferable Vote System in Vanuatu

The Republic of Vanuatu is one of the few democracies today that uses what is known as the single non-transferable vote (SNTV) - a method of election which in theory achieves a degree of seat/vote proportionality. Anglo-French Condominium authorities prior to independence adopted the SNTV to avoid the emerging dominance of the Melanesian Anglophones and protect minority Francophone interests. Two political parties emerged after independence in 1980, but they splintered after a decade and since 1991 Vanuatu has experienced a period of political instability involving 18 coalition governments. Studies of other countries' experience with SNTV suggest that party factionalisation occurs frequently, but Vanuatu did initially achieve a degree of proportionality in outcomes and post-1991 instability owes its origins to factors other than the electoral system. In particular, the re-emergence of Vanuatu's traditional Melanesian bigman system of politics at independence has been a major factor contributing to the increasing fractionalisation.