The purpose of the Leadership Code is to give effect to Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu by providing for a Leadership Code to govern the conduct of the leaders of the people of Vanuatu. Article 66 of the Constitution is basically the summary of Obligations imposed on leaders by Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu.
- In Chapter 10 of the Constitution, Article 66 provides that a leader must conduct himself in such a way, both in his public and private life, so as not to:
- Place himself in a position in which he has or could have a conflict of interest or in which the fair exercise of his public or official duties might be compromised
- Demean his office or position
- Allow his integrity to be called into question
- Endanger or diminish respect for and confidence in the integrity of the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu.
- Article 66 also provides that, in particular a leader must not use his office for personal gain or enter into any transaction or engage in any enterprise or activity that might be expected to give rise to doubt in the public mind as to whether he is carrying out or has carried out the duty imposed by sub-article 66(1).