| Country: | Vanuatu |
| Previous Election: | 2016 |
| Next Election: | 2022 |
| Election Date: | 19–20 March 2020 |
| Seats For Election: | All 52 seats in Parliament |
| Majority Seats: | 27 |
| Party1: | Leaders Party of Vanuatu |
| Leader1: | Jothan Napat |
| Percentage1: | 12.49 |
| Seats1: | 5 |
| Last Election1: | 1 |
| Party2: | Vanua'aku Pati |
| Leader2: | Bob Loughman |
| Percentage2: | 12.12 |
| Seats2: | 7 |
| Last Election2: | 6 |
| Party3: | Reunification Movement for Change |
| Leader3: | Charlot Salwai |
| Percentage3: | 11.32 |
| Seats3: | 7 |
| Last Election3: | 3 |
| Party4: | Land and Justice Party |
| Leader4: | Ralph Regenvanu |
| Percentage4: | 10.00 |
| Seats4: | 9 |
| Last Election4: | 7 |
| Party5: | Union of Moderate Parties |
| Leader5: | Ishmael Kalsakau |
| Percentage5: | 7.67 |
| Seats5: | 5 |
| Last Election5: | 6 |
| Party6: | National United Party (Vanuatu) |
| Leader6: | Ham Lin̄i |
| Percentage6: | 4.17 |
| Seats6: | 4 |
| Last Election6: | 4 |
| Party7: | Green Confederation |
| Percentage7: | 2.52 |
| Seats7: | 1 |
| Last Election7: | 2 |
| Party8: | Rural Development Party (Vanuatu) |
| Leader8: | Jay Ngwele |
| Percentage8: | 2.50 |
| Seats8: | 2 |
| Last Election8: | New |
| Party9: | Vanuatu Liberal Movement |
| Leader9: | Gaetan Pikioune |
| Percentage9: | 2.19 |
| Seats9: | 1 |
| Last Election9: | New |
| Party10: | Nagriamel |
| Percentage10: | 2.07 |
| Seats10: | 1 |
| Last Election10: | 3 |
| Party11: | Iauko Group |
| Leader11: | Harry Iauko |
| Percentage11: | 1.98 |
| Seats11: | 2 |
| Last Election11: | 4 |
| Party12: | People's Progressive Party (Vanuatu) |
| Leader12: | Sato Kilman |
| Percentage12: | 1.85 |
| Seats12: | 1 |
| Last Election12: | 1 |
| Party13: | Vanuatu First |
| Leader13: | Russel Nari |
| Percentage13: | 1.47 |
| Seats13: | 1 |
| Last Election13: | New |
| Party14: | Vanuatu National Development Party |
| Leader14: | Christophe Emelee |
| Percentage14: | 1.46 |
| Seats14: | 1 |
| Last Election14: | 1 |
| Party15: | PUDP |
| Color15: |
|
| Percentage15: | 1.30 |
| Seats15: | 1 |
| Last Election15: | New |
| Party16: | Vanuatu Cultural Self-reliance Movement |
| Leader16: | Samson Samsen |
| Percentage16: | 1.14 |
| Seats16: | 1 |
| Last Election16: | New |
| Party17: | Vemarana |
| Percentage17: | 1.05 |
| Seats17: | 1 |
| Last Election17: | 0 |
| Party18: | NCM |
| Color18: |
|
| Percentage18: | 0.90 |
| Seats18: | 1 |
| Last Election18: | New |
| Party19: | Vanuatu Progressive Development Party |
| Percentage19: | 0.57 |
| Seats19: | 1 |
| Last Election19: | 0 |
| Map: | 2020 Vanuatuan general election - Results.svg |
| Prime Minister | |
| Before Election: | Charlot Salwai |
| Before Party: | RMC |
| After Election: | Bob Loughman |
| After Party: | Vanua'aku Pati |
General elections were held in Vanuatu on 19–20 March 2020.[1] The elections were initially intended to be held on 19 March, but logistical problems resulted in some areas voting the following day.[2]
The 52 members of Parliament were elected from eight single-member constituencies and ten multi-member constituencies (of between two and seven seats) by first-past-the-post and single non-transferable vote, respectively.[3]
The Vanua'aku Pati launched its campaign slogan 'Lets Rebuild Vanuatu' in June 2019 and endorsed the continuation of its Kambak ("come back") policy.[4]
In October 2019, a 'Vot Woman' campaign was launched, supporting all female candidates and calling for guaranteed 50% representation for women in parliament.[5] No women were elected in the 2012 or 2016 elections. There were around 15 female candidates,[6] but none were elected. The youngest woman candidate in 2020 was Litiana Kalsrap.[7]
An important issue was the future of the lucrative but controversial citizenship by investment, or “passport sales” programs. For a price of about US $150,000, these schemes allow applicants to become citizens in months, without setting foot in the country.
Although there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the islands, there were concerns that fears of the pandemic could keep turnout low. Turnout at the previous election was about 57%.[8]
Unofficial results were gradually released over the following days, with official results being announced later than usual, on 6 April, due to the death of the Chairman of the Vanuatu Electoral Commission, Martin Tete.[9] No women were elected.[10] Nineteen parties won one or more seats, with the Land and Justice Party becoming the largest with nine of the 52 seats. Turnout was down six percentage points from the prior elections in 2016.
Due to the delay in announcing the official results, Parliament was unable to meet for its first sitting within the normal period of 21 days after the election, and instead met for the first time on 20 April.[9] During the first meeting, Gracia Shadrack of the Leaders Party of Vanuatu was elected Speaker. Bob Loughman of the Vanua'aku Pati was elected Prime Minister, defeating former foreign minister Ralph Regenvanu of the Land and Justice Party by 31 votes to 21. Loughman's coalition government included the Vanua'aku Pati, the Union of Moderate Parties, the National United Party and other minor parties. The next day Loughman appointed the members of his government.[11]
| Portfolio | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister | Bob Loughman | Vanua'aku Pati | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Internal Affairs | Ishmael Kalsakau | Union of Moderate Parties | |
| Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity | Kalo Willie | Union of Moderate Parties | |
| Minister of Climate Change | Bruno Lengkon | National United Party | |
| Minister of Education and Training | Seule Simeon | Reunification Movement for Change | |
| Minister of Finance and Economic Management | Johnny Koanapo | Vanua'aku Pati | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade | Mark Ati | Iauko Group | |
| Minister of Health | Silas Bule | National United Party | |
| Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities | Jay Ngwele | Rural Development Party | |
| Minister of Justice and Community Services | Esmon Simon | Vanua'aku Pati | |
| Minister of Land and Natural Resources | Norris Kalmet | Reunification Movement for Change | |
| Ministry of Tourism, Trade, Commerce and Ni-Vanuatu Business | James Bule | People Unity Development Party | |
| Minister of Youth Development and Training | Willie Saetearoto | Green Confederation |
Caused by the conviction of incumbent Charlot Salwai for perjury. He was pardoned by President Tallis Obed Moses, allowing him to run for the seat.[12] The election was held on 8 October 2021.[13] It was won by Sumptoh Blaise Tabisurin of the Rural Development Party.