2020 Kiribati parliamentary election
14 April 2020 (first round)
21 April 2020 (second round)
44 of the 45 seats in the House of Assembly
23 seats needed for a majority
Turnout86.84% (first round)
87.88% (second round)
  First party Second party
 
Leader Taneti Maamau Tessie Lambourne
Party TKP BKM
Leader's seat Onotoa Abemama
Last election 31 13
Seats won 22 22
Seat change Decrease9 Increase9
Speaker before election

Tebuai Uaai
TKP

 Elected Speaker

Tangariki Reete
BKM

Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati in 2020 to elect members of the House of Assembly. The elections 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]

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] However, on 22 May, during the first meeting of the new House, the 44 MPs were equally divided on two benches, with 22 supporting the new Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party and 22 the Tobwaan Kiribati Party.

Electoral system

Of the 45 members of the House of Assembly, 44 were 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 was chosen by the Rabi Council of Leaders to represent the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji, while the Speaker is elected after the elections, from outside the House of Assembly, and does not participate in votes.[6]

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.[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.[7]

Results

In the 2020 Kiribati parliamentary elections, the Tobwaan Kiribati Party (TKP) retained its position as the largest party, securing 13 out of 44 seats. Following the elections, the Boutokaan te Koaua (BTK) and the Kiribati Moa Party (KMP) merged to form the Boutokaan Kiribati Moa (BKM).

In the newly elected Parliament, TKP and BTK, along with their allies, each held 22 seats. Ms. Tangariki Reete became the first woman in Kiribati to be elected Speaker of the House of Assembly. The presidential candidates endorsed by the House were the outgoing President Taneti Maamau (TKP) and Banuera Berina (BKM).

Taneti Maamau was re-elected President on June 22, 2020. These elections were the first held after Kiribati switched allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019. The electoral campaign focused on climate change, and President Maamau pledged to boost tourism in the country. The political landscape saw defections and party mergers, with notable criticism of the decision to switch alliances.[8]

PartyFirst roundSecond roundTotal
seats		+/–
Votes%SeatsVotes%Seats
Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party13922+9
Tobwaan Kiribati Party101222−9
Appointed members1–1
Total232145–1
Valid votes38,38999.8527,17199.88
Invalid/blank votes560.15320.12
Total votes38,445100.0027,203100.00
Registered voters/turnout44,27186.8430,95387.88
Source: Radio Kiribati

List of elected members

Members of the 12th Parliament of Kiribati[9]
Constituency Political party[10] Member Share 1st round Share 2nd round Date of election Notes[11]
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.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Kiribati to go to polls for elections in April Radio New Zealand, 6 March 2020
  2. ↑ 44,929 registered for elections Radio Kiribati, 26 March 2020
  3. ↑ RNZ, 21 April 2020
  4. ↑ Pala, Christopher (23 April 2020). "Pro-China Kiribati president loses majority over switch from Taiwan". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  5. 1 2 Kiribati Pacific Women in Politics
  6. ↑ Last elections IPU
  7. ↑ Kiribati Election Passport
  8. ↑ "Kiribati - House of Assembly". IPU Parline.
  9. ↑ "Current Members". Parliament of Kiribati (Maneaba ni Maungatabu). Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "TKP and BKM confirm 22 members each". Radio Kiribati. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "Current Ministers". Parliament of Kiribati (Maneaba ni Maungatabu). Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-07-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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