Constitutional Convention elections were held in Nauru on 16 December 1967.[1] The convention was established by the Nauru Legislative Council as a result of the Australian government passing the Nauru Independence Act 1967, which allowed for Nauru's independence and the end of its status as a United Nations trust territory administered by Australia.
The Constitutional Convention consisted 27 elected members and the nine elected members of the Legislative Council.[2] A total of 96 candidates contested the 27 elected seats.[2] There were fewer than 1,000 registered voters.[3]
There were 945 total votes in the election with 82 of those votes being invalid.[1]
| Constituency | Elected members | |
|---|---|---|
| Aiwo | Itubwa Amram | |
| Deidienak Anako Daniel | ||
| John Cole Darabana Bill | ||
| Anabar | Ainungom Jerry Waidabu | |
| David Peter Gadaraoa | ||
| James Tagamoun Abawo | ||
| Anetan | Asa Paul Diema Denagabwida | |
| Boe | Kenas Aroi | |
| Alexander Deraoadi Deiye | ||
| Moniba Star | ||
| Buada | Vincent Detenamo | |
| Totouwa Depaune | ||
| Tamaiti Star | ||
| Meneng | Audi Dabwido | |
| Bobby Ingitebo Ralph Eoe | ||
| Dibwet Jose | ||
| Ubenide | Victor Eoaeo | |
| Lagumot Harris | ||
| Paul Lawrence Maginkieo Ribauw | ||
| Kennan Adeang Diereragea | ||
| Dagabwinere Jacob | ||
| Gioura Derog | ||
| Yaren | Ludwig Keke | |
| Alfred Dick | ||
| John Akubor | ||
| align=left colspan=2 | Source: Government Gazette |
The 36 members of the Convention met for the first time on 3 January 1968, with the purpose of drawing up a new constitution in preparation for independence later in the year.
Several issues were debated during the Convention's sitting, including whether the death penalty should be expressly banned by the new constitution (rejected by 26 votes to 8), whether the government should have the power to levy taxes (passed by 17 votes to 15), whether religious schools should be fully funded by the state (defeated by 15 votes to 12), and whether there should be an increase in the royalties from phosphate mining (passed by 14 votes to 12 but later overturned by a vote of 18 to 8).[4]
On 29 January 1968 the Convention approved the new constitution unanimously.[5] It provided for an 18-member Legislative Assembly with a three-year term. The Assembly would then appoint a five-member Council of State to exercise executive power.[5]