PORT VILA (VBTC/PINA) — Vanuatu’s chapter of global corruption fighting group Transparency International has written to all parties contesting May’s general elections asking for a formal commitment to democratic principles and practices.
Vanuatu has been hit hard by corruption in recent years and politicians were accused of looting the public purse for their own interest.
This has caused essential services to run down and failed to guarantee citizens with basic democratic freedoms, according to Transparency International Vanuatu.
Chapter President Ivette Sam said despite almost 200 official investigations by the ombudsman into irregularities and injustice, almost none were acted upon.
She said the people of Vanuatu were powerless to prevent politicians and corrupt administrators treating them with contempt.
The founding president of Transparency International Vanuatu, Marie-Noelle Patterson, has resigned to stand for Parliament. Points covered in Sam’s letter included basic rights such as freedom of speech, association and news media, together with independent courts and a disciplined police force.
