# 1991 Vanuatuan general election

General elections were held in Vanuatu on 2 December 1991. Ni-Vanuatu voters were invited to elect the 46 members of the national Parliament.
At the time of the elections, Walter Lini of the Vanua'aku Pati had been prime minister for eleven years and the country's only leader since independence in 1980. Several months before the elections, he was replaced by Donald Kalpokas as leader of the Vanua'aku Pati, and formed his own National United Party.
Seven parties contested the election. The Union of Moderate Parties obtained 19 seats, the same number as during the previous election, but this time these were sufficient to place it in the lead. The Vanua'aku Pati and the National United Party obtained ten seats each, marking the VP's first electoral defeat.
With no absolute majority, the Union of Moderate Parties formed a ruling coalition with the NUP. Maxime Carlot Korman (UMP) became Vanuatu's first francophone Prime Minister, with NUP co-founder Sethy Regenvanu as deputy Prime Minister. Voter turnout was 71%.
The result was significant, as Vanuatu's previous post-independence governments had been oriented towards the Anglophone population. Prior to the 1991 elections, only ten percent of the Vanuatu administration was Francophone and no cabinet members had been Francophone since independence. Vanuatu's foreign policy had also been hostile to France.

## Electoral system

Most members were elected by single non-transferable vote in multi-seat districts having two to six members each. Four members were elected through first-past-the-post voting in single-member constituencies.

## Results

| | Union of Moderate Parties | 19,016 | 30.58 | 19 | 0 |
| | Vanua'aku Pati | 14,058 | 22.61 | 10 | –16 |
| | National United Party | 12,672 | 20.38 | 10 | New |
| | Melanesian Progressive Party | 9,562 | 15.38 | 4 | New |
| | Tan Union [fr] | 2,852 | 4.59 | 1 | New |
| | Nagriamel | 1,822 | 2.93 | 1 | +1 |
| | Friend Melanesian Party | 1,157 | 1.86 | 1 | 0 |
| | New People's Party | 588 | 0.95 | 0 | 0 |
| | Vanuatu Independent Francophone | 77 | 0.12 | 0 | New |
| | Independents | 377 | 0.61 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 62,181 | 100.00 | 46 | 0 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | 62,181 | 99.40 | | |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 375 | 0.60 | | |
| Total votes | Total votes | 62,556 | 100.00 | | |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 87,695 | 71.33 | | |
| Source: Official Gazette, Nohlen et al. ||||||

### By constituency

Ambae :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Onneyn Tahi | National United Party | 725 | 18.99 |
| | Amos Bangabiti | Union of Moderate Parties | 688 | 18.02 |
| | Samson Bue | Union of Moderate Parties | 675 | 17.68 |
| | Harold Colin Qualao | Vanua'aku Pati | 494 | 12.94 |
| | Keith Andrew Mala | Vanua'aku Pati | 422 | 11.05 |
| | Frank Bakeo Spooner | Melanesian Progressive Party | 409 | 10.71 |
| | John Tari Morris | Nagriamel | 188 | 4.92 |
| | Wilson Tarisevuti | National United Party | 145 | 3.80 |
| | Peter Ngwele | Independent | 58 | 1.52 |
| | Fred Toka | Tan Union [fr] | 14 | 0.37 |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,818 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 3,818 | 99.17 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 32 | 0.83 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,850 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 5,067 | 75.98 |
Ambrym :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Batick Blaise | Union of Moderate Parties | 1,039 | 32.23 |
| | Jack T. Hopa | Vanua'aku Pati | 558 | 17.31 |
| | Daniel Bangtor Arron | Vanua'aku Pati | 536 | 16.63 |
| | Kai Patterson | Melanesian Progressive Party | 527 | 16.35 |
| | Olsen Talsil | Tan Union [fr] | 299 | 9.27 |
| | Willie Malon | National United Party | 265 | 8.22 |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,224 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 3,224 | 99.35 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 21 | 0.65 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,245 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 4,550 | 71.32 |
Banks and Torres :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Cecil Sinker | National United Party | 837 | 31.63 |
| | Derek Lulum Vanua | National United Party | 707 | 26.72 |
| | Eldat Esuva Fox | Union of Moderate Parties | 514 | 19.43 |
| | Charles Godden | Melanesian Progressive Party | 278 | 10.51 |
| | Ben Reynold | Tan Union [fr] | 224 | 8.47 |
| | George Augustus Worek | Vanua'aku Pati | 86 | 3.25 |
| Total | Total | Total | 2,646 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 2,646 | 98.99 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 27 | 1.01 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,673 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 3,487 | 76.66 |
Efate :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Barak Sopé | Melanesian Progressive Party | 1,121 | 18.24 |
| | Donald Kalpokas | Vanua'aku Pati | 946 | 15.39 |
| | Jimmy Meto Chilia | Vanua'aku Pati | 922 | 15.00 |
| | Louis Carlot | Union of Moderate Parties | 667 | 10.85 |
| | Thomas Tarisu | Melanesian Progressive Party | 612 | 9.96 |
| | Kalpokor Kalsakau [fr] | Union of Moderate Parties | 599 | 9.75 |
| | John Willie Kalotiti | Melanesian Progressive Party | 417 | 6.78 |
| | Joel Pakoa Lao Mansale | Independent | 233 | 3.79 |
| | Andrew Bakoa Kalpolep | National United Party | 188 | 3.06 |
| | Saniel D. Popovi | Tan Union [fr] | 177 | 2.88 |
| | Kalmari Kolen Soromon | National United Party | 136 | 2.21 |
| | David Thomas Tanarango | National United Party | 76 | 1.24 |
| | George Kalsakau [fr] | Independent | 45 | 0.73 |
| | Pita Nako | Vanuatu Independent Francophone | 7 | 0.11 |
| Total | Total | Total | 6,146 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 6,146 | 99.47 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 33 | 0.53 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,179 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 8,925 | 69.23 |
Epi :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Jimmy Simon | Melanesian Progressive Party | 583 | 36.12 |
| | Joshua Vakumali | Vanua'aku Pati | 518 | 32.09 |
| | Jack Waiwo Iolupua | Union of Moderate Parties | 393 | 24.35 |
| | Sam Wesley Niel | National United Party | 120 | 7.43 |
| Total | Total | Total | 1,614 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,614 | 99.81 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 3 | 0.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,617 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 2,123 | 76.17 |
Luganville :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Edward Tambisari | National United Party | 758 | 25.07 |
| | Alfred Maseng | Union of Moderate Parties | 677 | 22.39 |
| | Noah Bihu | Union of Moderate Parties | 651 | 21.53 |
| | Kalo J. Nial | Vanua'aku Pati | 479 | 15.85 |
| | Jimmy Awa | Melanesian Progressive Party | 242 | 8.01 |
| | Noel Michel | Tan Union [fr] | 139 | 4.60 |
| | Jimmy Homal | New People's Party | 77 | 2.55 |
| Total | Total | Total | 3,023 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 3,023 | 99.51 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 15 | 0.49 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,038 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 5,011 | 60.63 |
Maewo :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | James Adin Tamata | Vanua'aku Pati | 329 | 30.21 |
| | Roger Jerry Boe | National United Party | 321 | 29.48 |
| | Jonah Tali | Union of Moderate Parties | 222 | 20.39 |
| | Gregory Taranban | Melanesian Progressive Party | 217 | 19.93 |
| Total | Total | Total | 1,089 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,089 | 99.63 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 4 | 0.37 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,093 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 1,253 | 87.23 |
Malekula :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Paul Telukluk | Union of Moderate Parties | 987 | 10.12 |
| | Jerrety Rasen | Union of Moderate Parties | 927 | 9.51 |
| | Soksok Vital | Union of Moderate Parties | 891 | 9.14 |
| | Sethy Regenvanu | National United Party | 788 | 8.08 |
| | Elson Samuel | Melanesian Progressive Party | 728 | 7.47 |
| | Batick Romain | Union of Moderate Parties | 711 | 7.29 |
| | Daniel Nato | Vanua'aku Pati | 567 | 5.81 |
| | Simeon Ennis | Vanua'aku Pati | 567 | 5.81 |
| | Anatol Lingtamat | Melanesian Progressive Party | 558 | 5.72 |
| | Ailes Rantes | National United Party | 489 | 5.01 |
| | Emile Waniel | National United Party | 474 | 4.86 |
| | Daniel Wasing | National United Party | 404 | 4.14 |
| | Josephat Mellai La'au | Vanua'aku Pati | 366 | 3.75 |
| | Albert Alpet | Friend Melanesian Party | 313 | 3.21 |
| | Raymond L. N. Malapa | Vanua'aku Pati | 301 | 3.09 |
| | Alfred Lowane | Melanesian Progressive Party | 238 | 2.44 |
| | Tawi John Wesley | National United Party | 229 | 2.35 |
| | Ignace Liatlatmal | Tan Union [fr] | 214 | 2.19 |
| Total | Total | Total | 9,752 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 9,752 | 99.53 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 46 | 0.47 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,798 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 11,941 | 82.05 |
Other Southern Islands :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Edward Natapei | Vanua'aku Pati | 653 | 51.34 |
| | John Thomas Nentu | Union of Moderate Parties | 378 | 29.72 |
| | Robert Nasawai | Melanesian Progressive Party | 241 | 18.95 |
| Total | Total | Total | 1,272 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 1,272 | 99.69 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 4 | 0.31 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,276 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 1,592 | 80.15 |
Paama :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Demis Lango | Union of Moderate Parties | 414 | 44.61 |
| | Reddy Henry Sahe | Vanua'aku Pati | 378 | 40.73 |
| | William Mahit | National United Party | 95 | 10.24 |
| | Tom Toungen | Melanesian Progressive Party | 41 | 4.42 |
| Total | Total | Total | 928 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 928 | 99.36 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 6 | 0.64 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 934 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 1,512 | 61.77 |
Pentecost :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Walter Lini | National United Party | 1,279 | 25.18 |
| | Allen Bule | National United Party | 813 | 16.01 |
| | Vincent Boulekone [fr] | Tan Union [fr] | 755 | 14.87 |
| | Job Bulewu | National United Party | 475 | 9.35 |
| | Job Tabi | Nagriamel | 470 | 9.25 |
| | Gaetano Bulewak | Tan Union [fr] | 386 | 7.60 |
| | Pierre Chanel Vuti | Union of Moderate Parties | 312 | 6.14 |
| | William Edgell | Melanesian Progressive Party | 290 | 5.71 |
| | Marcel Tabius | Union of Moderate Parties | 202 | 3.98 |
| | Martín Tamata | Vanua'aku Pati | 97 | 1.91 |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,079 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 5,079 | 99.28 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 37 | 0.72 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,116 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 6,806 | 75.17 |
Port Vila :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Thomas Brothy Faratia | Vanua'aku Pati | 777 | 13.87 |
| | Maxime Carlot Korman | Union of Moderate Parties | 715 | 12.77 |
| | Willie Jimmy | Union of Moderate Parties | 644 | 11.50 |
| | Alick Hopman Allan | Vanua'aku Pati | 558 | 9.96 |
| | Hilda Lini | National United Party | 545 | 9.73 |
| | Maria Crowby | Union of Moderate Parties | 510 | 9.11 |
| | Kalkot Mataskelekele | National United Party | 402 | 7.18 |
| | Henri Thuha | Melanesian Progressive Party | 379 | 6.77 |
| | Ati George Sokomanu | Melanesian Progressive Party | 365 | 6.52 |
| | Joseph Jacobet | Tan Union [fr] | 290 | 5.18 |
| | Leo Hardy | New People's Party | 252 | 4.50 |
| | David Kalanga Sawia | National United Party | 68 | 1.21 |
| | Albert Watt | Vanuatu Independent Francophone | 55 | 0.98 |
| | Williamson Obed Naros | Independent | 41 | 0.73 |
| Total | Total | Total | 5,601 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 5,601 | 99.52 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 27 | 0.48 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,628 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 10,108 | 55.68 |
Santo–Malo–Aore :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Serge Vohor | Union of Moderate Parties | 1,000 | 12.59 |
| | Sela Molisa | Vanua'aku Pati | 936 | 11.78 |
| | Albert Ravutia [fr] | Friend Melanesian Party | 844 | 10.62 |
| | Timothy Welles [fr] | Union of Moderate Parties | 733 | 9.23 |
| | Molieno Vurobaravu | Union of Moderate Parties | 523 | 6.58 |
| | Frankie Stevens [fr] | Nagriamel | 487 | 6.13 |
| | Harry Karaeru [fr] | Union of Moderate Parties | 440 | 5.54 |
| | Talper Nial | Vanua'aku Pati | 399 | 5.02 |
| | Jerry Isaiah | Nagriamel | 393 | 4.95 |
| | Sarki Robert | Vanua'aku Pati | 392 | 4.93 |
| | Thomas Reuben [fr] | Melanesian Progressive Party | 372 | 4.68 |
| | Pierre Leon Aisoso | Nagriamel | 284 | 3.57 |
| | B. Samson Livo | National United Party | 274 | 3.45 |
| | Perei Rukon | National United Party | 195 | 2.45 |
| | Tamata Mele | Melanesian Progressive Party | 194 | 2.44 |
| | Ishmael Williams Avia | National United Party | 188 | 2.37 |
| | Kavcor Wass | National United Party | 177 | 2.23 |
| | Louis Vatu | Tan Union [fr] | 114 | 1.43 |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,945 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 7,945 | 99.11 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 71 | 0.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,016 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 10,043 | 79.82 |
Shepherds–Tongoa :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Joseph Calo | Union of Moderate Parties | 434 | 19.83 |
| | Robert David Karie | National United Party | 431 | 19.69 |
| | Etschin Shem Masoeripu | National United Party | 344 | 15.71 |
| | Amos G. Titongoa | Vanua'aku Pati | 290 | 13.25 |
| | Daniel Konkona | Melanesian Progressive Party | 259 | 11.83 |
| | Mark L. Taripoakoto | New People's Party | 259 | 11.83 |
| | Willie Roy Haruel | Tan Union [fr] | 102 | 4.66 |
| | Jack Noviel Taripoaliu | Vanua'aku Pati | 70 | 3.20 |
| Total | Total | Total | 2,189 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 2,189 | 99.23 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 17 | 0.77 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,206 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 3,016 | 73.14 |
Tanna :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Iolu Abil | Vanua'aku Pati | 1,052 | 13.39 |
| | Charlie Nako | Union of Moderate Parties | 904 | 11.51 |
| | Henry Iouiou | Vanua'aku Pati | 863 | 10.99 |
| | Jeffery Lahva | Melanesian Progressive Party | 840 | 10.69 |
| | Koeasipai Song [fr] | Union of Moderate Parties | 806 | 10.26 |
| | Lop Kissel | Union of Moderate Parties | 724 | 9.22 |
| | Tom Kawai | Union of Moderate Parties | 636 | 8.10 |
| | George Manu | Melanesian Progressive Party | 628 | 7.99 |
| | Daniel Iamiam | National United Party | 516 | 6.57 |
| | Gideon Kota | Vanua'aku Pati | 502 | 6.39 |
| | Tom Numake | National United Party | 208 | 2.65 |
| | Jimmy Noanikam | Tan Union [fr] | 138 | 1.76 |
| | Willie Korisa | Melanesian Progressive Party | 23 | 0.29 |
| | Nagia Willy | Vanuatu Independent Francophone | 15 | 0.19 |
| Total | Total | Total | 7,855 | 100.00 |
| Valid votes | Valid votes | Valid votes | 7,855 | 99.59 |
| Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | Invalid/blank votes | 32 | 0.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,887 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | Registered voters/turnout | 12,261 | 64.33 |