Constitutional Convention elections were held in the Marshall Islands on 21 February 2017.[1]
A constitutional convention is used in the Marshall Islands to consider proposed constitutional amendments that have been endorsed by the Legislature. The convention cannot propose new amendments and can only debate those approved by the parliament.[2] Previous conventions had been held in 1977, 1989 and 1995.
While more were added after the election, the proposed changes for the 2017 Constitutional Convention initially included:[3]
The 45 members of the Constitutional Convention consisted of 33 directly-elected delegates elected from the 33 Legislature districts, and 12 Iroijs (chiefs).[4] Postal voting was not allowed.[1]
A total of 119 candidates contested the 33 directly-elected seats, whilst 24 ran for the 12 seats reserved for the Iroijs. All but seven of the thirty-three members of the Legislature ran for election to the convention.[5]
| Elected members | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Member | |
| Directly-elected | Jack J. Ading | |
| Tony Aiseia | ||
| Jack Akeang | ||
| Maynard Alfred | ||
| Jejwarick H. Anton | ||
| Jerakoj J. Bejang | ||
| Winnie Benjamin | ||
| Kejjo Bien | ||
| Donald F. Capelle | ||
| Stephen K. Dribo | ||
| McAvoy M. Espern | ||
| Thomas Heine | ||
| Peterson Jibas | ||
| Jimmy Jonathan | ||
| David Kabua | ||
| Hilton Kendall | ||
| Jien Morris Lekka | ||
| Nuia Loeak | ||
| Yoland Logdge-Ned | ||
| Nidel Lorak | ||
| Rebecca Lorennij | ||
| Lomes McKay | ||
| Almo Momotaro | ||
| Phillip H. Muller | ||
| Neti Nathan | ||
| Casten Nemra | ||
| Kessai H. Note | ||
| David Paul | ||
| Atbi Riklon | ||
| Jorelik Tibon | ||
| Stanny Tomeing | ||
| Brenson Wase | ||
| Ruben Zackhras | ||
| Iroijs | Helkena Anni | |
| Bruce Bilimon | ||
| Elbod Boaz | ||
| Kiorina Capelle | ||
| Wilbur Heine | ||
| Kosma Johanes | ||
| Michael Kabua | ||
| Tommy Kijiner Jr. | ||
| Kotak Loeak | ||
| Christopher J. Loeak | ||
| Lein Zedkeia | ||
| Source: RMI Constitutional Convention | ||
The Constitutional Convention opened in April 2017. Kessai Note was elected as the body's President, defeating Christopher Loeak by a vote of 22–21.[6]
After a long pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the works of the convention was finally put to a referendum on 20 November 2023.