General elections were held in Vanuatu on 6 March 1998. They "were held under the shadow of a state of emergency (the result of riots in Port Vila over governmental financial improprieties) and were accompanied by an unusually low turnout rate", with only 61.6% of registered voters casting a ballot. The Vanua'aku Pati, led by Donald Kalpokas, obtained 18 seats. The ruling Union of Moderate Parties obtained 12, while the National United Party obtained 11, and the Melanesian Progressive Party 6.