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44 of the 45 seats in the House of Assembly 23 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Turnout | 86.84% (first round) 87.88% (second round) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Subdivisions |
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Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati in 2020 to elect members of the House of Assembly. The elections were originally planned on 7 April 2020, with a second round of voting to be held on 15 April 2020. [1] However, in late March the Electoral Commission changed the voting date to 14 April 2020, [2] with a second round on 21 April 2020. [3]
The elections resulted in President Taneti Maamau's pro-China Tobwaan Kiribati Party losing a majority in parliament to parties either supportive of Taiwan or critical of his handling of diplomatic recognition of China. [4] However, on 22 May, during the first meeting of the new House, the 44 MPs were equally divided on two benches, with 22 supporting the new Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party and 22 the Tobwaan Kiribati Party.
Of the 45 members of the House of Assembly, 44 were elected in 23 single- and multi-member constituencies (seven with one seat, eleven with two seats and five with three seats) [5] using a modified two-round system. One member was chosen by the Rabi Council of Leaders to represent the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji, while the Speaker is elected after the elections, from outside the House of Assembly, and does not participate in votes. [6]
Voters have as many votes to cast as the number of seats in their constituencies. In the first round a candidate is elected if they receive more than 50% of the ballots cast. [5] Where not all seats are filled, a second round is held with the number of candidates being equal to the number of seats remaining to be filled plus two, with those who received the fewest votes in the first round being eliminated. A tie in the second round results in a third round of voting. [7]
In the 2020 Kiribati parliamentary elections, the Tobwaan Kiribati Party (TKP) retained its position as the largest party, securing 13 out of 44 seats. Following the elections, the Boutokaan te Koaua (BTK) and the Kiribati Moa Party (KMP) merged to form the Boutokaan Kiribati Moa (BKM).
In the newly elected Parliament, TKP and BTK, along with their allies, each held 22 seats. Ms. Tangariki Reete became the first woman in Kiribati to be elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. The presidential candidates endorsed by the House were the outgoing President Taneti Maamau (TKP) and Banuera Berina (BKM).
David Christopher was elected by the Rabi Council of Leaders on 29 April 2020.
Taneti Maamau was re-elected President on June 22, 2020. These elections were the first held after Kiribati switched allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019. The electoral campaign focused on climate change, and President Maamau pledged to boost tourism in the country. The political landscape saw defections and party mergers, with notable criticism of the decision to switch alliances. [8]
Party | First round | Second round | Total seats | +/– | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | ||||
Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 13 | 9 | 22 | +9 | |||||
Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 10 | 12 | 22 | −9 | |||||
Appointed members | 1 | –1 | |||||||
Total | 23 | 21 | 45 | –1 | |||||
Valid votes | 38,389 | 99.85 | 27,171 | 99.88 | |||||
Invalid/blank votes | 56 | 0.15 | 32 | 0.12 | |||||
Total votes | 38,445 | 100.00 | 27,203 | 100.00 | |||||
Registered voters/turnout | 44,271 | 86.84 | 30,953 | 87.88 | |||||
Source: Ministry of Justice, Adam Carr, Radio Kiribati |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Teuea Toatu | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 1,114 | 49.87 | 1,128 | ||
Tekena Tiroa | 1,060 | 47.45 | No data | |||
Betero Atanibora | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 945 | 42.30 | 974 | ||
Kautu Tenaua | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 899 | 40.24 | 1,025 | ||
Arimaere Tambwereti | 508 | 22.74 | No data | |||
Total | 4,526 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 2,234 | 99.91 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.09 | ||||
Total votes | 2,236 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 2,566 | 87.14 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Willie Tokataake | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 778 | 53.51 | |
Tessie Lambourne | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 758 | 52.13 | |
Natan Teewe | 571 | 39.27 | ||
Tawaia Anterea Aukitino | 82 | 5.64 | ||
Total | 2,189 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,454 | 99.86 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.14 | ||
Total votes | 1,456 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,583 | 91.98 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Martin Moreti | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 346 | 55.36 | |
Tianeti Ioane | 218 | 34.88 | ||
Amberoti Nikora | 61 | 9.76 | ||
Total | 625 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 625 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 625 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 656 | 95.27 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Teima Onorio | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 275 | 58.64 | |
Ioane Tanieru | 194 | 41.36 | ||
Total | 469 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 469 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 469 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 501 | 93.61 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tibanga Taratai | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 127 | 75.15 | |
Eribati Totibau | 42 | 24.85 | ||
Total | 169 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 169 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 169 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 172 | 98.26 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
England Iuta | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 728 | 67.66 | |
Bwatoromaio Kiritian | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 586 | 54.46 | |
Tetabo Nakara | 280 | 26.02 | ||
Teunroko Anruuti | 168 | 15.61 | ||
James Korona Teriba | 126 | 11.71 | ||
Total | 1,888 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,076 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 1,076 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,155 | 93.16 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Tinte Itinteang | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 2,111 | 47.74 | 2,352 | ||
Tebao Awerika | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 1,519 | 34.35 | 1,993 | ||
Ioteba Redfern | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 1,473 | 33.31 | 2,041 | ||
Tangariki Reete | 1,252 | 28.31 | 1,950 | |||
Martin Tofinga | 1,153 | 26.07 | No data | |||
Rutiano Benetito | 729 | 16.49 | ||||
Kianteata Teabo | 728 | 16.46 | ||||
Toani Benson | 396 | 8.96 | ||||
Susan Tebaau | 103 | 2.33 | ||||
John Tabito Tokaibure | 93 | 2.10 | ||||
Total | 9,557 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 4,422 | 99.68 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 14 | 0.32 | ||||
Total votes | 4,436 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 6,352 | 69.84 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tinian Reiher | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 932 | 64.45 | |
Alexander Teabo | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 776 | 53.67 | |
Koria Tamuera | 548 | 37.90 | ||
Total | 2,256 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,446 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 1,446 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,506 | 96.02 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Mikarite Temari | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 1,643 | 47.43 | 1,820 | 28.79 | |
Jacob Tieikabu Teem | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 1,434 | 41.40 | 1,434 | 22.69 | |
Bakaia Kiabo | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 1,256 | 36.26 | 1,344 | 21.26 | |
Kirata Temamaka | 1,034 | 29.85 | 1,290 | 20.41 | ||
Kataebati Bataua | 694 | 20.03 | 433 | 6.85 | ||
Nancy Mikaere | 344 | 9.93 | ||||
Inatio Tanentoa | 262 | 7.56 | ||||
Taburea Tomataake | 253 | 7.30 | ||||
Rutio Bangao | 204 | 5.89 | ||||
Ngaruenga Tianere | 202 | 5.83 | ||||
Kaitama Toroto | 131 | 3.78 | ||||
Kabure Temariti | 88 | 2.54 | ||||
Total | 7,545 | 100.00 | 6,321 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 3,464 | 99.88 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 4 | 0.12 | ||||
Total votes | 3,468 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 3,719 | 93.25 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Banuera Berina | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 344 | 54.86 | |
Tom Robati Murdoch | 162 | 25.84 | ||
Iaon Inatio | 121 | 19.30 | ||
Total | 627 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 627 | 99.68 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.32 | ||
Total votes | 629 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 665 | 94.59 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Koraubati Remuera | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 705 | 66.01 | — | ||
Vincent Tong | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 475 | 44.48 | 498 | ||
David Collins | 372 | 34.83 | No data | |||
Kaure Babo | 326 | 30.52 | No data | |||
Total | 1,878 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 1,068 | 99.81 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.19 | ||||
Total votes | 1,070 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,103 | 97.01 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
James Taom | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 798 | 75.35 | |
Pinto Katia | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 786 | 74.22 | |
Karea Paul Chen Baireti | 324 | 30.59 | ||
Total | 1,908 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,059 | 99.34 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 7 | 0.66 | ||
Total votes | 1,066 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,105 | 96.47 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ruateki Tekaiara | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 869 | 67.94 | |
Moannata Ientaake | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 644 | 50.35 | |
Patrick Tatireta | 434 | 33.93 | ||
Ioteba Tebau | 308 | 24.08 | ||
Ioane Namoriki | 133 | 10.40 | ||
Total | 2,388 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,279 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 1,279 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,369 | 93.43 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Ribanataake Tiwau | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 415 | 48.20 | 390 | ||
Tauanei Marea | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 379 | 44.02 | 436 | ||
Rimeta Beniamina | 350 | 40.65 | 387 | |||
Ngutu Metutera Awira | 214 | 24.85 | No data | |||
Matana Anterea | 154 | 17.89 | ||||
Total | 1,512 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 861 | 99.77 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 2 | 0.23 | ||||
Total votes | 863 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 899 | 96.00 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Dennis Waysang Kumkee | 588 | 43.11 | No data | |||
Ieremia Tabai | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 530 | 38.86 | 640 | ||
Bonteman Tabera | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 482 | 35.34 | 629 | ||
Elliot Ali | 386 | 28.30 | No data | |||
Teekoa Iuta | 223 | 16.35 | ||||
Toromon Katua | 62 | 4.55 | ||||
Total | 2,271 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 1,364 | 99.78 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 3 | 0.22 | ||||
Total votes | 1,367 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,431 | 95.53 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Harry Tekaiti | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 1,568 | 48.45 | 1,718 | ||
Atarake Nataara | 841 | 25.99 | No data | |||
Terieta Mwemwenikeaki | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 826 | 25.53 | 1,398 | ||
Boutu Bateriki Baare | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 777 | 24.01 | 1,197 | ||
Emil Uri Tuuti | 771 | 23.83 | No data | |||
Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa | 604 | 18.67 | ||||
Baraam Tetaeka | 449 | 13.88 | ||||
Teiraoi Tetabea | 389 | 12.02 | ||||
Taitii Waitie | 334 | 10.32 | ||||
Maiaa Iona | 270 | 8.34 | ||||
Total | 6,829 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 3,236 | 99.91 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 3 | 0.09 | ||||
Total votes | 3,239 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 3,649 | 88.76 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Taaneti Mamau | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 698 | 85.85 | |
Taiaki Irata | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 415 | 51.05 | |
Kouraiti Beniato | 386 | 47.48 | ||
Total | 1,499 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 813 | 99.88 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 1 | 0.12 | ||
Total votes | 814 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 840 | 96.90 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Shiu-Fung Jong | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 3,202 | 4,081 | |||
Taoaba Kaiea | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 2,846 | 3,092 | |||
Taabeta Teakai | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 2,828 | 4,180 | |||
Kourabi Nenem | 1,686 | No data | ||||
Baantarawa Ietimeta | 1,213 | No data | ||||
Semilota Finauga | 800 | |||||
Tabuia Taboree | 518 | |||||
Barry Nawere | 398 | |||||
Mareko Tofinga | 383 | |||||
Beniera Kaitia | 257 | |||||
Eritoa Tewakura Kookia | 257 | |||||
Takaria Ubwaitoi | 252 | |||||
Nokite Abiteti | 227 | |||||
Tamuera Rikate | No data | |||||
Teimarawa Itakara | No data | |||||
Tekeeua Kauongo | No data | |||||
Tirikai Tiraim | No data | |||||
Total | ||||||
Valid votes | 8,514 | 99.89 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 9 | 0.11 | ||||
Total votes | 8,523 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 10,454 | 81.53 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tarakabu Tofinga | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 805 | 54.36 | |
Taberannang Timeon | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 755 | 50.98 | |
Kobebe Taitai | 750 | 50.64 | ||
Total | 2,310 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 1,481 | 99.93 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 1 | 0.07 | ||
Total votes | 1,482 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 1,651 | 89.76 |
Candidate | Party | First round | Second round | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | |||
Booti Nauan | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 286 | 39.89 | 315 | ||
Titabu Tabane | 241 | 33.61 | No data | |||
Teorae Kabure | 190 | 26.50 | No data | |||
Total | 717 | 100.00 | ||||
Valid votes | 717 | 99.58 | ||||
Invalid/blank votes | 3 | 0.42 | ||||
Total votes | 720 | 100.00 | ||||
Registered voters/turnout | 768 | 93.75 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tekiau Aretateta | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 510 | ||
Tewaaki Kobae | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 483 | ||
Edwin Baraniko | No data | |||
Teakin Iakobwa | No data | |||
Teraawati Kinta | No data | |||
Total | ||||
Valid votes | 788 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 788 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 850 | 92.71 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tekeeua Tarati | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 384 | 86.49 | |
Tenoa Betene | 60 | 13.51 | ||
Total | 444 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 444 | 99.78 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 1 | 0.22 | ||
Total votes | 445 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 459 | 96.95 |
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nantongo Timeon | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 506 | 64.96 | |
Kaiaia Teatoi | 257 | 32.99 | ||
Rerekannang Terakau | 16 | 2.05 | ||
Total | 779 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 779 | 100.00 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 0 | 0.00 | ||
Total votes | 779 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 818 | 95.23 |
The islands which now form the Republic of Kiribati have been inhabited for at least seven hundred years, and possibly much longer. The initial Austronesian peoples’ population, which remains the overwhelming majority today, was visited by Polynesian and Melanesian invaders before the first European sailors visited the islands in the 17th century. For much of the subsequent period, the main island chain, the Gilbert Islands, was ruled as part of the British Empire. The country gained its independence in 1979 and has since been known as Kiribati.
Politics of Kiribati takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Beretitenti, President of Kiribati, is both the head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government, Beretitenti, and his cabinet, all MPs. Legislative power is exercised by the House of Assembly. The Judiciary of Kiribati is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Constitution of Kiribati, promulgated at independence on 12 July 1979, establishes the Republic of Kiribati as a sovereign democratic republic and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens and residents.
Anote Tong is an I-Kiribati politician for the Pillars of Truth party and environmental activist with half Chinese heritage, who served as the fourth president of Kiribati, from 2003 to 2016. He won the election in July 2003 with a slim plurality of votes cast (47.4%) against his older brother, Harry Tong (43.5%) and the private lawyer Banuera Berina (9.1%). The elections were contested by the opposition, due to allegations of electoral fraud but the High Court of Tarawa had confirmed that there was no fraud. He was re-elected on 17 October 2007 for a second term (64%). In 2012, Tong was reelected for a third term, although with a significantly smaller percentage than in the previous two elections.
Elections in Kiribati are held every 4 years or, earlier, after a no confidence vote. They consist in the national elections of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu from whom is then elected the Beretitenti, shortly after, by the people. They are also local elections of the Councils.
Pillars of Truth was a political party in Kiribati, until 2020 when it merged with the Kiribati First Party to create the Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party.
The president of Kiribati is the head of state and head of government of Kiribati.
The Cabinet of Kiribati is the cabinet of the government of the Republic of Kiribati.
Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati on October 21 and 28, 2011. In the first round, exactly half of the 44 members of parliament were elected, with the remainder chosen in the proceeding run-off elections. 30 candidates were reelected, and four government ministers lost their seats. One seat had to go to a third round of elections due to two candidates tying in the second round. In the third round, Jacob Teem defended his seat against Rutio Bangao with just 27 votes difference. The parliament in Kiribati is known as Maneaba ni Maungatabu. The next parliamentary election was not scheduled until 2015.
Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati on 30 December 2015, with a second round of voting for 25 seats on 7 January 2016. The result was a victory for the Pillars of Truth party, which won 26 of the 46 seats.
Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 9 March 2016. The result was a victory for Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party, who received 60% of the vote, with Rimeta Beniamina on 38.6% and Tianeti Ioane 1.5%.
The Tobwaan Kiribati Party is a political party in Kiribati.
Taneti Maamau is an I-Kiribati politician who has served as the sixth president of Kiribati since 11 March 2016.
Tessie Eria Lambourne is an I-Kiribati civil servant, diplomat and politician. She has been a member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu (Parliament) since April 2020. She was formerly Kiribati's Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from June 2018 to September 2019 and Secretary to the Cabinet, the highest position in Kiribati's civil service, from August 2016 until June 2018.
Banuera Berina is a lawyer and a politician from Kiribati, representing Kuria in the House of Assembly. He was the opposition candidate in the 2020 Kiribati presidential election.
The Kiribati First Party was a political party in Kiribati until it merged with Pillars of Truth to create the Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party in 2020.
The Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party (BKM) is a political party in Kiribati from the merger of the Kiribati First Party and Boutokaan te Koaua in 2020.
Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 22 June 2020. Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with 59% of the vote.
Tekeeua Tarati is an I-Kiribati politician and entrepreneur, Minister for Information, Communications, Transport and Tourism development since July 2020.
Parliamentary elections are expected to be held in Kiribati by August 2024, though the date has yet to be confirmed. The current president, Taneti Maamau will reach the end of his term by May, and must call the election within three months.