2020 Kiribati parliamentary election
Parliamentary elections in Kiribati, for electing the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, 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]
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All 44 seats in the House of Assembly 23 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 86.8% (first round) 87.9% (second round) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Kiribati |
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] But on 22 May, during the first meeting of the new House, the 44 MPs were equally divided on 2 benches : 22 MPs supporting the new Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party and the 22 MPs of the former majority.
Electoral system
Of the 45 members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, 44 are 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 of the Maneaba is chosen by the Rabi Council of Leaders to represent the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji. The Attorney general was also an ex-officio member when not elected (until October 2016).[6] The Speaker is elected after the elections, from outside the Maneaba, and does not participate in votes.[7]
Voters have as many votes to cast as the number of seats in their constituencies. In the first round a candidate is elected if he or she receives 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.[6]
The first meeting of the new session was held on 22 May.
Results
| 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 | ||||
| Non-partisan | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| Speaker (not MP) | – | – | – | – | – | – | (1) | 0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 56 | 0.15 | – | 32 | 0.12 | – | – | – |
| Total | 38,445 | 100.00 | 23 | 27,203 | 100.00 | 21 | 45 | 0 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 44,271 | 86.84 | – | 30,953 | 87.88 | – | – | – |
| Source: Radio Kiribati | ||||||||
List of elected members
| Constituency | Political party[9] | Member | Share 1st round | Share 2nd round | Date of election | Notes[10] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makin | TKP | James Taom | 74.9% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 798 votes in the first round out of 1066 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Pinto Katia | 73.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 786 votes in the first round out of 1066 voters (2nd) | ||
| Butaritari | BKM | Tinian Reiher | 64.5% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 932 votes in the first round out of 1446 voters (1st) | |
| TKP | Alexander Teabo | 53.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 776 votes in the first round out of 1446 voters (2nd) | ||
| Marakei | TKP | Ruateki Tekaiara | 67.9% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 869 votes in the first round out of 1279 voters (1st) | |
| TKP | Moannata Ientaake | 50.4% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, 644 votes in the first round out of 1279 voters (2nd) | ||
| Abaiang | BKM | Kautu Tenaua | 40.2% | 44.7% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1025 votes at second round on 2293 voters (2nd) | |
| TKP | Teuea Toatu | 49.8% | 49.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1128 votes at second round on 2293 voters (1st), confirmed Vice-President of Kiribati | ||
| TKP | Betero Atanibora | 42.3% | 42.5% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 974 votes at second round on 2293 voters (3rd) | ||
| North Tarawa | BKM | Harry Tekaiti | 48.4% | 52.3% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 1718 votes at second round on 3283 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Terieta Mwemwenikeaki | 25.5% | 39.8% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 1398 votes at second round on 3283 voters (2nd) | ||
| TKP | Boutu Bateriki | 24.0% | 36.5% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1197 votes at second round on 3283 voters (3rd) | ||
| South Tarawa | TKP | Taabeta Teakai | 33.2% | 47.6% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 4180 votes at second round on 8779 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Shiu-Fung Jong | 37.6% | 46.5% | 21 Apr 2020 | 4081 votes at second round on 8779 voters (2nd) | ||
| TKP | Taoaba Kaiea | 33.4% | 35.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | 3092 votes at second round on 8779 voters (3rd), defeating Kourabi Nenem | ||
| Betio | TKP | Tinte Itinteang | 47.6% | 44.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 2352 votes at second round on 5316 voters (1st) | |
| TKP | Ioteba Redfern | 33.2% | 38.4% | 21 Apr 2020 | 2041 votes at the second round on 5316 voters (2nd) | ||
| TKP | Tebao Awerika | 34.2% | 37.5% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1993 votes at the second round on 5316 voters (3rd), defeating Tangariki Reete, 1950 votes | ||
| Maiana | BKM | Koraubati Remuera | 65.9% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, 705 votes in first round out of 1070 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Vincent Tong | 44.4% | 47.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 498 votes at second round on 1056 voters (2nd), defeating David Collins | ||
| Kuria | BKM | Banuera Berina | 54.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 344 votes in the first round out of 629 voters. Nominated candidate for the 2020 Beretitenti election | |
| Aranuka | TKP | Martin Moreti | 55.4% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | Returning MP, 346 votes in the first round out of 625 voters | |
| Abemama | TKP | Willie Tokataake | 53.4% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 778 votes in the first round out of 1456 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Tessie Lambourne | 52.1% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, 758 votes in the first round out of 1456 voters (2nd), defeating Natan Teewe | ||
| Nonouti | BKM | Ieremia Tabai | 38.8% | 47.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | First President of Kiribati, 640 votes in second round out of 1357 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Bonteman Tabera | 35.3% | 46.4% | 21 Apr 2020 | 629 votes at second round on 1357 voters (2nd) | ||
| Tabiteuea North | TKP | Tarakabu Tofinga | 54.3% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, candidate as Tarakabu Martin, 805 votes in the first round out of 1482 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Taberannang Timeon | 50.9% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 755 votes in the first round out of 1482 voters (2nd), defeating Kobebe Taitai, 750 votes | ||
| Tabiteuea South | TKP | Booti Nauan | 39.7% | 43.2% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 315 votes at second round on 729 voters | |
| Onotoa | TKP | Taneti Maamau | 85.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 5th President of Kiribati, nominated for re-election, 698 votes in the first round out of 814 voters (1st) | |
| TKP | Taiaki Irata | 51.0% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, 415 votes in the first round out of 814 voters (2nd) | ||
| Beru | BKM | England Iuta | 67.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 728 votes in the first round out of 1076 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Bwatoromaio Kiritian | 54.5% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | New MP, 586 votes in the first round out of 1076 voters (2nd) | ||
| Nikunau | TKP | Tauanei Marea | 43.9% | 50.5% | 21 Apr 2020 | 436 votes in the second round out of 864 voters (1st) | |
| TKP | Ribanataake Tiwau | 48.1% | 45.1% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 390 votes at second round on 864 voters (2nd), defeating Rimeta Beniamina, 387 | ||
| Tamana | TKP | Tekeeua Tarati | 86.3% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 384 votes in the first round out of 445 voters | |
| Arorae | BKM | Teima Onorio | 58.6% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 275 votes in the first round out on 469 voters, former Vice-President of Kiribati | |
| Kiritimati | TKP | Mikarite Temari | 47.4% | 51.6% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1820 votes at second round on 3526 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Jacob Tieikabu Teem | 41.3% | 40.7% | 21 Apr 2020 | 1434 votes at second round on 3526 voters (2nd) | ||
| BKM | Bakaia Kiabo | 36.2% | 38.1% | 21 Apr 2020 | New MP, 1344 votes at second round on 3526 voters (3rd), defeating Kirata Temamaka, 1290 votes, and Kataebati Bataua, 1291 votes | ||
| Tabuaeran | BKM | Tekiau Aretateta | 64.7% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 510 votes in the first round out of 788 voters (1st) | |
| BKM | Tewaaki Kobae | 61.3% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 483 votes in the first round out of 788 voters (2nd) | ||
| Teraina | BKM | Nantongo Timeon | 65.0% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 506 votes in the first round out of 779 voters | |
| Banaba | BKM | Tibanga Taratai | 75.1% | — | 14 Apr 2020 | 127 votes in the first round out of 169 voters | |
| Rabi Island | Non-partisan | Kariamakin Airu Christopher | — | — | 29 Apr 2020 | Nominated by the Rabi Council of Leaders | |
Candidates
The Ministry of Justice communicated the official list of candidates running this general election.[11]
References
- Kiribati to go to polls for elections in April Radio New Zealand, 6 March 2020
- 44,929 registered for elections Radio Kiribati, 26 March 2020
- RNZ, 21 April 2020
- Pala, Christopher (23 April 2020). "Pro-China Kiribati president loses majority over switch from Taiwan". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- Kiribati Pacific Women in Politics
- Kiribati Election Passport
- Last elections IPU
- "Current Members". Parliament of Kiribati (Maneaba ni Maungatabu). Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- "TKP and BKM confirm 22 members each". Radio Kiribati. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- "Current Ministers". Parliament of Kiribati (Maneaba ni Maungatabu). Retrieved 9 July 2019.