2024 Kiribati parliamentary election explained
| Country: | Kiribati |
| Type: | parliamentary |
| Ongoing: | yes |
| Previous Election: | 2020 Kiribati parliamentary election |
| Previous Year: | 2020 |
| Election Date: | 14 August 2024 (first round)
|
| Next Election: | Next Kiribati parliamentary election |
| Next Year: | Next |
| Seats For Election: | 44 of the 45 seats in the Maneaba ni Maungatabu |
| Majority Seats: | 23 |
| Before Party: | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party |
| Before Election: | Tangariki Reete |
| Speaker |
Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati in 2024 to elect members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, with the first round held on 14 August and the second round held on 19 August.[1]
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) using a modified two-round system.[2] The 45th member of the legislature is nominated by the Banaban community resident on Rabi Island in Fiji.[3]
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.[2] When 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. In the second round, voters have as many votes to cast as there are vacancies remaining. The top candidates are elected even if they do not receive a majority. A tie in the second round results in a third round of voting.[4]
For the 2024 election, there are nearly 53,000 registered voters.[5]
Issues
Among issues prominent during the election were inflation, rising sea levels, public spending, the national debt, and relations with China.[6] [7] In 2019 Kiribati President Taneti Maamau ended the nation's longstanding diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, instead recognizing the People's Republic of China. This caused a rift within his own government which resulted in the fiercely fought election in 2020. This switch has strained relations between Kiribati and various Pacific nations, as well as Australia, Kiribati's long-time traditional trade partner. This was coupled with Maamau withdrawing Kiribati from the Pacific Islands Forum claiming that the organization was no longer serving Kiribati's interests. Senior opposition figure Banuera Berina, who split from Maamau's Tobwaan Kiribati Party (TKP) due to the Chinese issue, called the nation's relationship with the PRC as "not healthy for the country". Additionally, Rimon Rimon, a local investigative journalist, described the island nation as "a landscape of fear" as Maamau and the TKP have created a political system dominated by personal patronage over party affiliation, where those with close ties to the government find it far easier to win elections due to being allocated government resources.[8]
The Maamau-led government has partnered with the PRC on a series of infastructure projects to boost the island's fishing and tourism industries, as well as letting the PRC rebuild a World War II-era American airbase on Kanton, roughly halfway between Hawaii and Fiji. In 2021 Maamau abolished the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, opening the area up for more PRC fishing vessels. Opposition candidates have also accused the TKP of being financially backed by the PRC, claiming that the PRC is funneling money into political coffers to prevent a change in the nation's leadership. In an effort to weaken the opposition, in August 2022 Maamau sought to deport High Court justice David Lambourne, husband of Leader of the Opposition Tessie Eria Lambourne. This move was initially blocked by Kiribati’s Court of Appeal. By September 2022 Maamau's attacks on the Judiciary had resulted in the suspension of Chief Justice William Hastings and all Court of Appeal judges, in a move that has been labeled as democratic backsliding and as autocratic.[8]
Results
A total of 114 people ran in the election, of which 18 were women.[9] Out of the 44 seats to be contested, four candidates were declared elected unopposed at the close of nominations on 24 July 2024 - Tinian Reiher and Alexander Teabo from Butaritari, Bootii Nauan from South Tabiteuea and Tekeeua Tarati from Tamana.[9] All four were incumbents, with three (Alexander, Bootii and Tekeeua) being Ministers in the outgoing TKP government.
First round
By 16 August, the full results for the first round were released, with the outcomes broadcast locally and online by Radio Kiribati. Of the 44 seats, 25 seats were decided and 19 seats (across 12 constituencies) will require a second round on 19 August. President Taneti Maamau comfortably retained his seat in Onotoa. Six members lost their seats, including Minister for Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Willie Tokataake in Abemama. Three women were elected, including Leader of the Opposition in the last Parliament, Tessie Eria Lambourne, in Abemama.[10] Seven women will contest the second round in five constituencies (Arorae, Betio, Fanning (Tabuaeran), North Tabiteuea and Tarawa Teinainano). If voting trends from the first round continue through to the second round, Kiribati could have as many as seven women in the new Parliament, which would be a record number. Late on 15 August the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs (under which the Electoral Commission sits) published official results for the first round elections in all but the Tarawa Teinainano constituency.[11] On 17 August the Office of the President published a full list of the results on its official Facebook page.[12]
Second round
Voting commenced at 7:00am and continued until 6:00pm.[13] All results had been declared by 1:30pm in Tarawa on 20 August. Eight more members lost their seats, including Minister for Culture and Internal Affairs, Boutu Bateriki in Rural Tarawa, and Minister for Labour and Human Resources Development, Taabeta Amuera Teakai in Tarawa Teinainano. Also unseated was former Vice-President Teima Onorio, who had represented Arorae since 1998. The Speaker of the outgoing Parliament, Tangariki Reete, regained her seat in Betio. 'Father of the House', Ieremia Tabai, was elected to serve his 12th term as one of the two members from Nonouti. For the first time the Parliament will have a husband and wife as members, with Lavinia Teatao Teem from Abaiang and Jacob Teem representing Kiritimati. On 20 August the Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs published a full list of the results on its official Facebook page.[14]
In summary, 27 members retained their seats. Sixteen members were elected to Parliament for the first time, including three female members. Tangariki Reete returns to Parliament after losing her Betio seat in 2020.[15] A total of five women were elected to the new Parliament, a record for Kiribati. Fourteen members of the outgoing Parliament lost their seats, including three TKP Ministers.[16] With nearly 53,000 registered voters, the first round saw an overall turn-out of 87.14%. The turn-out for the second round was 83.52%.
The new Parliament will sit for the first time on 13 September 2024.[17] After being sworn in, members will elect a new Speaker and determine the candidates for the presidential election. The presidential election is likely to take place in mid-October.
By constituency
An asterisk (*) indicates an incumbent Member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu, while an obelisk (†) indicates a female candidate.
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Lavinia Teatao Teem† | 1445 | 52.83 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| Teuea Toatu | 1343 | 49.10 | 1290 | 48.85 | Elected |
| Betero Atanibora | 1012 | 37.00 | 1150 | 43.54 | Elected |
| Kautu Tenaua | 1080 | 39.49 | 1060 | 40.14 | |
| 635 | 23.22 | 613 | 23.21 | |
| 100 | 3.66 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 3155 | 86.69 | 3155 | 83.71 | |
| Total ballots cast | 2735 | 100.00 | 2641 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 2733 | 99.93 | 2629 | 99.55 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 2 | 0.07 | 12 | 0.45 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| 1068 | 56.42 | Elected |
| Tessie Eria Lambourne
| 961 | 50.77 | Elected |
| Willie Tokataake | 875 | 46.22 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 2068 | 91.54 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1893 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1891 | 99.89 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 2 | 0.11 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Martin Moreti | 406 | 60.87 | Elected |
| 192 | 28.79 | |
| 68 | 10.19 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 729 | 91.50 | |
| Total ballots cast | 667 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 666 | 99.85 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 1 | 0.15 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| 188 | 38.29 | 254 | 51.42 | Elected |
| 195 | 39.71 | 223 | 45.14 | |
| Teima Onorio
| 107 | 21.79 | 17 | 3.44 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 522 | 94.06 | 522 | 94.64 | |
| Total ballots cast | 491 | 100.00 | 494 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 490 | 99.80 | 494 | 100.00 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 1 | 0.20 | 0 | 0.00 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Tibanga Taratai | 143 | 70.44 | Elected |
| Pelenise Alofa Maike Pilitati† | 60 | 29.56 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 219 | 92.69 | |
| Total ballots cast | 203 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 203 | 100.00 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| England Thomas Iuta | 641 | 55.31 | Elected |
| 603 | 52.03 | Elected |
| Bwatoromaio Kiritian | 393 | 33.91 | |
| 350 | 30.20 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1190 | 97.39 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1159 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1159 | 100.00 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Tangariki Reete† | 3203 | 48.65 | 2780 | 42.84 | Elected |
| 2300 | 34.93 | 2641 | 40.69 | Elected |
| Tinte Itinteang | 2276 | 34.57 | 2602 | 40.09 | Elected |
| Kataaua Benjamin† | 2526 | 38.37 | 2509 | 38.66 | |
| Tebao Awerika | 1774 | 26.94 | 1848 | 28.47 | |
| Botika Maitinnara† | 1546 | 23.48 | colspan=2 | |
| 262 | 3.98 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 7808 | 84.32 | 7808 | 83.12 | |
| Total ballots cast | 6584 | 100.00 | 6490 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 6580 | 99.94 | 6487 | 99.95 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 4 | 0.06 | 3 | 0.05 | | |
Butaritari
(2 seats)!Candidate!Note
| Alexander Teabo* | Elected unopposed |
| Tinian Reiher* | Elected unopposed | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| 665 | 63.09 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| 491 | 46.58 | 693 | 66.25 | Elected |
| 150 | 14.23 | 190 | 18.16 | |
| Rubeiti Eria† | 290 | 27.51 | 161 | 15.39 | |
| 109 | 10.34 | colspan=2 | |
| Tewaaki Kobae | 101 | 9.58 | colspan=2 | |
| 50 | 4.74 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1099 | 95.91 | 1099 | 95.18 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1054 | 100.00 | 1046 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1054 | 100.00 | 1044 | 99.81 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 0.19 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Mikarite Temari | 2157 | 60.79 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| 1738 | 48.99 | 1843 | 54.54 | Elected |
| Jacob Teem | 1640 | 46.22 | 1594 | 47.17 | Elected |
| Bakaia Kiabo | 958 | 27.00 | 1151 | 34.06 | |
| 361 | 10.17 | 788 | 23.32 | |
| 236 | 6.65 | colspan=2 | |
| 204 | 5.75 | colspan=2 | |
| 154 | 4.34 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 3835 | 92.52 | 3835 | 88.11 | |
| Total ballots cast | 3548 | 100.00 | 3379 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 3544 | 99.89 | 3354 | 99.26 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 4 | 0.11 | 25 | 0.74 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Banuera Berina | 283 | 44.15 | 325 | 50.47 | Elected |
| 260 | 40.56 | 314 | 48.76 | |
| 93 | 14.51 | 0 | 0.00 | Withdrew |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 678 | 94.54 | 678 | 94.99 | |
| Total ballots cast | 641 | 100.00 | 644 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 636 | 99.22 | 639 | 99.22 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 5 | 0.78 | 5 | 0.78 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Ruta Teretia Babo† | 663 | 56.28 | Elected |
| Koraubati Remuera | 595 | 50.51 | Elected |
| 456 | 38.71 | |
| Vincent Tong | 323 | 27.42 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1251 | 94.16 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1178 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1178 | 100.00 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Pinto Katia | 632 | 63.52 | Elected |
| 626 | 62.91 | Elected |
| James Taom | 316 | 31.76 | |
| 90 | 9.05 | |
| 69 | 6.93 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1098 | 90.62 | |
| Total ballots cast | 995 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 994 | 99.90 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 1 | 0.10 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Ruateki Tekaiara | 824 | 59.80 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| Moannata Ientaake | 679 | 49.27 | 773 | 56.59 | Elected |
| 424 | 30.77 | 386 | 28.26 | |
| 261 | 18.94 | 204 | 14.93 | |
| 104 | 7.55 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1512 | 91.14 | 1512 | 90.34 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1378 | 100.00 | 1366 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1378 | 100.00 | 1363 | 99.78 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.22 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| Ribanataake Tiwau | 821 | 75.11 | Elected |
| Tauanei Marea | 623 | 57.00 | Elected |
| 399 | 36.51 | |
| 143 | 13.08 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1128 | 96.90 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1093 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1092 | 99.91 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 1 | 0.09 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| 782 | 56.02 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| Ieremia Tabai | 592 | 42.41 | 570 | 43.02 | Elected |
| 471 | 33.74 | 493 | 37.21 | |
| 243 | 17.41 | 255 | 19.25 | |
| Miriah Waysang Kum Kee† | 194 | 13.90 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1482 | 94.20 | 1482 | 89.41 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1396 | 100.00 | 1325 | 100 | |
| Valid ballots | 1396 | 100.00 | 1318 | 99.47 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 0.53 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Taberannang Timeon | 1084 | 59.17 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| Tarakabu Martin Tofinga | 814 | 44.43 | 958 | 52.44 | Elected |
| Ruria Iteraera† | 500 | 27.29 | 762 | 41.71 | |
| 321 | 17.52 | 103 | 5.64 | |
| Taoing Teaiwa Taoaba† | 73 | 3.98 | colspan=2 | |
| 25 | 1.36 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 1992 | 91.97 | 1992 | 91.72 | |
| Total ballots cast | 1832 | 100.00 | 1827 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 1824 | 99.56 | 1824 | 99.78 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 8 | 0.44 | 3 | 0.22 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Taneti Maamau | 688 | 82.79 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| 313 | 37.67 | 367 | 44.11 | Elected |
| Taiaki Irata | 281 | 33.81 | 360 | 43.27 | |
| 146 | 17.57 | 101 | 12.14 | |
| 75 | 9.03 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 877 | 94.75 | 877 | 94.41 | |
| Total ballots cast | 831 | 100.00 | 832 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 829 | 99.76 | 828 | 99.52 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 2 | 0.24 | 4 | 0.48 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| Harry Tekaiti | 1826 | 50.33 | colspan=2 | Elected |
| Terieta Mwemwenikeaki | 1612 | 44.43 | 1843 | 51.02 | Elected |
| 1757 | 48.43 | 1820 | 50.39 | Elected |
| Boutu Bateriki | 1243 | 34.26 | 1405 | 38.90 | |
| 425 | 11.71 | 147 | 4.07 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 4155 | 87.32 | 4155 | 86.93 | |
| Total ballots cast | 3628 | 100.00 | 3612 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 3621 | 99.81 | 3578 | 99.04 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 7 | 0.19 | 34 | 0.96 | | |
South Tabiteuea
(1 seat)!Candidate!Note
| Bootii Nauan* | Elected unopposed | |
Tamana
(1 seat)!Candidate!Note
| Tekeeua Tarati* | Elected unopposed | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Second round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % |
|---|
| 3211 | 25.48 | 5670 | 46.97 | Elected |
| Tebuai Uaai | 3689 | 29.27 | 4709 | 39.01 | Elected |
| Ruth Maryanne Cross Kwansing† | 3410 | 27.06 | 4667 | 38.66 | Elected |
| Taabeta Amuera Teakai
| 3227 | 25.61 | 4587 | 38.00 | |
| Taoaba Kaiea | 2816 | 22.35 | 3817 | 31.62 | |
| 2626 | 20.84 | colspan=2 | |
| Ngaina Roniti Teiwaki† | 1104 | 8.76 | colspan=2 | |
| 1019 | 8.09 | colspan=2 | |
| 982 | 7.79 | colspan=2 | |
| Akineti Moataake† | 918 | 7.28 | colspan=2 | |
| 566 | 4.49 | colspan=2 | |
| 546 | 4.33 | colspan=2 | |
| 546 | 4.33 | colspan=2 | |
| 507 | 4.02 | colspan=2 | |
| 349 | 2.77 | colspan=2 | |
| 311 | 2.47 | colspan=2 | |
| 204 | 1.62 | colspan=2 | |
| 197 | 1.56 | colspan=2 | |
| 161 | 1.28 | colspan=2 | |
| Erimeta Barako† | 149 | 1.18 | colspan=2 | |
| Ramanibina Titau† | 110 | 0.87 | colspan=2 | |
| 109 | 0.86 | colspan=2 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 15,661 | 80.47 | 15,661 | 77.08 | |
| Total ballots cast | 12,602 | 100.00 | 12,072 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 12,591 | 99.91 | 12,069 | 99.98 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 11 | 0.09 | 3 | 0.02 | | |
Candidate!colspan=2| First round | Note |
|---|
| Votes | % |
|---|
| 536 | 63.06 | Elected |
| 160 | 18.82 | |
| Nantongo Timeon | 149 | 17.53 | |
|
|---|
| Registered voters/turnout | 903 | 94.13 | |
| Total ballots cast | 850 | 100.00 | |
| Valid ballots | 752 | 88.47 | |
| Invalid/blank ballots | 98 | 11.53 | | |
Notes and References
- Web site: Kiribati election: Voters head to second round of polling to determine who forms government . Radio New Zealand . 19 August 2024.
- Web site: Kiribati . Pacific Women in Politics . 6 May 2024.
- Web site: Anthony . Kelvin . 14 August 2024 . Kiribati polls open: 'Hype is not as it is in other countries' . 14 August 2024 . Radio New Zealand.
- Web site: Kiribati . Election Passport . 6 May 2024.
- Web site: 17 August 2024 . Preliminary election results show tight race for urban seats in Kiribati . 18 August 2024 . Radio New Zealand.
- Web site: 14 August 2024 . Kiribati's pro-China government faces test as election begins . 14 August 2024 . The Guardian.
- Web site: Wiseman . Don . 14 August 2024 . Kiribati elections 2024 - what we know . 14 August 2024 . Radio New Zealand.
- Web site: Mccready . Alastair . Kiribati votes in key election after years of turbulence . . 14 August 2024 . en.
- Web site: Wiseman . Don . 2024-07-31 . 114 candidates to contest Kiribati election, including 18 women . 2024-08-13 . . en-nz.
- Web site: 2024-08-15 . Kiribati elections unofficial results: 'It is all community level effort where we ask each other' . 2024-08-15 . . en-nz.
- Web site: 2024-08-15 . General Election Results . 2024-08-15 . Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs . en-ki.
- Web site: 2024-08-17 . Untitled . 2024-08-17 . Facebook . en-ki.
- Web site: 2024-08-19 . Kiribati election: Voters head to second round of polling to determine who forms government . 2024-08-19 . . en-nz.
- Web site: 2024-08-20 . NATIONAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS 2024 . 2024-08-20 . Facebook . en-ki.
- Web site: 2020-05-27 . Kiribati speaker says election loss a 'blessing in disguise' . 2024-08-21 . . en-nz.
- Web site: Wiseman . Don . Anthony . Kelvin . 2024-08-21 . Kiribati elections results: a record 5 women elected into 45-seat parliament. 2024-08-21 . . en-nz.
- Web site: 2024-08-13 . Notice for 1st sitting of the 13th Maneaba ni Maungatabu . 2024-08-20 . Facebook . en-ki.
