LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
CONSOLIDATED EDITION 2006

Commencement: 24 June 1985

CHAPTER 183
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS (ORGANISATION)

Act 13 of 1985
Act 2 of 1997

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

PART 1  INTERPRETATION

1.	Interpretation

PART 2  ORGANISATION OF THE COUNCIL

2.	Composition and election

PART 3  MISCELLANEOUS

3.	Meetings
4.	Rules
5. Dissolution
6. Quorum and voting at meetings

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS (ORGANISATION)

To provide for the organisation of the National Council of Chiefs.

PART 1  INTERPRETATION

1. Interpretation

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires –

"Council" shall mean "the National Council of Chiefs".

PART 2  ORGANISATION OF THE COUNCIL

2. Composition and election

(1) The Council shall comprise 22 chiefs.

(2) Each regional council of chiefs shall elect one or more custom chief(s) from the regional council to sit in the Council until the next election as follows –
		
(a) Banks and Torres region	2 custom chiefs;	
(b) Santo and Malo region	2 custom chiefs;	
(c) Ambae and Maewo region	2 custom chiefs;	
(d) Pentecost region	2 custom chiefs;	
(e) Paama region	1 custom chief;	
(f) Ambrym region	2 custom chiefs;	
(g) Malekula region	2 custom chiefs;	
(h) Epi region	1 custom chief;	
(i) Shepherds region	2 custom chiefs;	
(j) Efate region	2 custom chiefs;	
(k) TAFEA region	4 custom chiefs;	

(3)	Elections to the Council shall be held every 5 years.

(4) In the event of the death or resignation of a chief from the Council, the regional council which elected the chief shall elect another in his stead within a period of 6 weeks after the death or resignation as the case may be:

Provided that no such election shall take place if such chief dies or resigns within a period of 6 months or less before the date of the next election.

PART 3  MISCELLANEOUS

3. Meetings

In addition to the meetings held in accordance with article 29(3) of the Constitution, the Council shall meet at such times as the Chairman of the Council may determine. Meetings shall be held in Port Vila, unless the Chairman with the agreement of a majority of the Council decides otherwise.

4. Rules

The Electoral Commission after consulting the Minister may make rules of procedure for election to the Council.

5. Dissolution

When the Council is dissolved a new election shall be held within 60 days after the dissolution.

6. Quorum and voting at meetings

(1) The quorum at any meeting shall be one half of the elected members.

(2) Any question or matter going before the Council for its opinion or decision shall not be carried through unless it has been adopted by a majority of the members of the Council present.

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Table of Amendments (since the Revised Edition 1988)

2(3) Amended by Act 2 of 1997