Casting a vote in Vanuatu Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
An expert in politics and governance in Melanesia says soon to be introduced amendments to Vanuatu's constitution aimed at curbing political instability could prove disappointing.
The legislation which has been passed by parliament and approved in a national referendum just needs to be gazzetted to come into effect.
Amendment 17A states if an MP leaves a political party or is ejected from a party there seat is automatically vacated and 17B will effectively remove independent MPs and single MP parties from parliament.
But Victoria University of Wellington professor in comparative politics Jon Fraenkel says the reforms do not take into account the tendency of office holders in Melanesia to manipulate systems for their own interests.
He spoke with RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins who began by asking him how effective the constitutional amendments would be in helping to curb political instability.
