Vanuatu Parliament will debate the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat on Monday next week, after Speaker Felix Stephen confirmed that it meets the requirements of the Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Orders.
Speaker Stephen explained that the motion would follow the procedures set out under Standing Order 44, which requires a motion to be moved and seconded before the Speaker opens it for debate.
After the debate, the Speaker puts the motion to Parliament for a decision.
Under Standing Order 58, questions are generally decided by a majority vote of members present, with MPs voting by raising their hands.
However, Opposition MPs questioned the Speaker’s decision to make a determination on the motion before it was formally debated.
MP Gracia Shadrack raised a point of order, while Opposition Leader Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau argued that the motion was not yet ready for the Speaker to make a ruling.
Kalsakau also referred to a Court of Appeal decision in support of his argument.
In response, Speaker Stephen said he was required to explain the parliamentary procedures and guide MPs on how the motion would be handled.
He added that any member who disagreed with his ruling could challenge it through the appropriate legal process.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Johnny Koanapo supported the Speaker’s role, saying MPs needed to understand the procedure before the debate took place.
