Commencement: 24 June 1985
Repealed: 11 September 2006

LAWS OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
REVISED EDITION 1988

CHAPTER 183

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS (ORGANISATION)

Act 13 of 1985

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION
1.	Interpretation
2.	Composition and election
3.	Meetings
4.	Rules
5.	Dissolution
6.	Quorum and voting at meetings

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHIEFS (ORGANISATION)

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

INTERPRETATION

1.	In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -

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

ORGANISATION OF THE COUNCIL COMPOSITION AND ELECTION

2.	(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 4 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.

MISCELLANEOUS

MEETINGS

3.	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.

RULES

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

DISSOLUTION

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

QUORUM AND VOTING AT MEETINGS

6.	(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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