General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1967. All candidates ran as independents.[1]
Earlier in the year the British government promulgated a new constitution for the islands, creating a House of Representatives to replace the Advisory Council. The new House of Representatives had 30 members, of which 23 were elected (19 from the Gilberts and four from Ellice Islands), five civil servants and two ex officio members.[2]
In addition, the Executive Council was replaced with a Governing Council, to consist of five members of the House of Representatives (elected by the House) and two ex officio members.[2]
Only three of the ten members of the former Advisory Council that contested the elections were elected.[3]
| Constituency | Elected member | |
|---|---|---|
| Abaiang | Kabiriera Kararaua | |
| Tuari Bokarawa | ||
| Abemama | Tekinene Tetabo | |
| Aranuka and Kuria | Inatio Binoka | |
| Arorae | Tetebano Aram | |
| Beru | Otiuea Tanentoa | |
| Butaritari | Mareko Ioteba | |
| Maiana | Tem Jacob | |
| Makin | Mote Tiotake | |
| Marakei | Buren Ratieta | |
| Nikunau | Akabo Ebarata | |
| Nonouti | Kaitara Metai | |
| Northern Ellice | Founuku Tipelu | |
| Sione Tui Kleis | ||
| Onotoa | Babera Kirata | |
| Southern Ellice | Melitiana Kaisami | |
| Iosia Taomia | ||
| Tabiteuea | Nation Bwenawa | |
| Gilbert Lamusse | ||
| Tamana | Ioteba Tamuera Uriam | |
| Tarawa Rural | Ioteba Kirieta | |
| Urban Tarawa | Edward Martin | |
| Reuben Uatioa | ||
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly | ||
| Position | Member | |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Resident Commissioner | D.G. Cudmore | |
| Assistant Secretary, Personnel | J.B. McCaig | |
| Attorney General | C.P. North-Coombes | |
| Chief Medical Officer | E.P. Hamblett | |
| Commissioner of Works | D.S. Short | |
| Marine Superintendent | G.W. Sharp | |
| Senior Assistant Secretary, Finance | M.D. Allen | |
| Source: Pacific Islands Monthly | ||
The new House of Representatives was opened by Resident Commissioner Val Andersen on 8 December 1967. Reuben Uatioa, who founded the Gilbertese National Party in 1965, was elected Chief Elected Member.[4] A Governing Council was formed, consisting of four official members (M.D. Allen, D.G. Cudmore, E.P. Hamblett, C.P. North-Coombes) and five elected members (Uatioa, Edward Martin, Buren Ratieta, Iosia Taomia and Ioteba Tamuera Uriam).[4]
A by-election was held for the Marakei seat in September 1968, which was won by Naboua Ratieta,[5] the brother of the former incumbent Buren Ratieta.