2022 Nauruan parliamentary election

24 September 2022

President before election

Lionel Aingimea

Elected
President

Russ Kun

Parliamentary elections were held in Nauru on 24 September 2022 to elect all 19 members of parliament.[1] All candidates were elected on a non-partisan basis. Following the election, Russ Kun, a member of parliament for Ubenide, was elected president by parliament.

Background

In the 2019 elections, nearly half of the Parliament members lost their seats, including incumbent President Baron Waqa.[2] Justice minister David Adeang, Waqa's deputy, retained his seat.[3] Adeang was a candidate in the following presidential election; he lost to Lionel Aingimea, who had been an assistant minister.[4]

The Aingimea government implemented some electoral changes. Potential candidates in regularly scheduled general elections were now required to register their intention 270 days before the end of the parliamentary term.[5] These declared candidates would then file nominations during the nomination period.[6] To address public concerns about granting citizenship to foreigners, the government held a constitutional referendum in 2021 which disqualified naturalised citizens and their descendants from running for Parliament.[7]

Aingimea also pushed for strong stances in Pacific affairs. Nauru supported the Micronesia boycott of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2021, which aimed for a Micronesian secretary-general;[8] it also offered to temporarily host a Micronesia secretariat.[9] When University of the South Pacific Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia was deported from Fiji after investigating university finances, Nauru hosted Ahluwalia at its campus for the term.[10][11] Aingimea also supported the USP Council's decision to renew Ahluwalia's contract, and commissioned the auditing firm BDO to further pursue the investigation.[12]

Electoral system

The 19 members of Parliament are elected from eight multi-member constituencies using the Dowdall system, a version of ranked voting; voters rank candidates, with the votes counted as a fraction of one divided by the ranking number (e.g. a candidate ranked second will be scored as 12); the candidates with the highest total are elected.[13] There are no political parties, so all candidates run as independents. Informal groups do form in Parliament, but membership is fluid.[14]

Parliament is elected for a three-year term, but can be dissolved earlier. The government, which comprises the President and the Cabinet, must retain the support of a majority in Parliament.[15]

All citizens aged 20 and older are permitted to cast their ballot; once an individual reaches voting age, they are automatically added to the electoral roll. Voting is compulsory in Nauru; individuals who fail to vote without sufficient reasoning are required to pay a fine. Nauruans who provide proof of illness, are in hospital or are not present in the country on election day are excused. However, Nauruans overseas on the polling day have the option to engage in proxy voting, where an individual assigns someone in Nauru to vote on their behalf. The electoral commission provides a mobile voting service for voters hospitalised or unable to go to polling stations due to incapacity, involving polling staff travelling to these individuals to ensure they can cast their ballot.[16]

Conduct

On 29 August, Speaker of Parliament Marcus Stephen issued a writ of election for 24 September. 8,054 eligible voters registered for this election. The electoral roll was opened between 1 and 3 September for verification.[17] Nominations were accepted between 4 and 10 September.[18] 77 candidates were nominated to contest the election.[19] The Pacific Islands Forum sent an election monitoring team led by Feue Tipu, the High Commissioner of Tuvalu to New Zealand.[20]

Early voting commenced on 19 September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the electoral commission encouraged polling stations to enforce rigorous hygiene measures. On election day, 24 September, the polling concluded at 6 pm local time.[21]

Results

The vote count began after the close of polls, and was completed on Monday, 26 September. The speaker and the twelve government members retained their seats. Out of the six opposition members, two were unseated: Milton Dube (Aiwo) and Tawaki Kam (Meneng).[19][22]

Former presidents Ludwig Scotty and Baron Waqa ran for election, but did not enter Parliament.[23]

Aiwo

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
12345678910
Rennier Gadabu24817866381223173040146399.956Re-elected
Delvin Thoma1831667664532953588729350.155Elected
Milton Dube1427467626035567382147275.603Unseated
Aaron Cook8435606162899114411557213.461
Vania Scotty6051537689141118768846204.202
Clarissa Jeremiah38681137991115118865832204.035
Shane Detenamo15571511221168391715735193.075
Ken Blake9558911717511283765329179.229
Cory Caleb3936942488376101121162159.560
Evi Agir1621541379288958397115158.041
Invalid/blank votes17
Total815
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Anabar

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
123456789
Pyon Deiye300211385014135225439.653Re-elected
Maverick Eoe24519248221821161482382.747Re-elected
Ludwig Scotty57433948535175149143167.828
Marita Agigo1758688552641979126153.390
Bureiy Deireragea15367268173135585546151.372
Junior Olsson195310157524061102173151.170
Patrick Scotty4445417610498616354147.723
Dawson Agege19169649662889277139.994
Narmi Doguape012698896174977052127.585
Invalid/blank votes17
Total675
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Anetan

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
123456
Timothy Ika48332430222019667.667Re-elected
Marcus Stephen29834675434888531.017Re-elected
Raynor Tom398918812539859266.850
Clifford Simon114626036515165252.950
Cyril Buraman6268627974553243.383
Begg Adire525283264207114238.233
Invalid/blank votes11
Total909
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Boe

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
123456
Asterio Appi3961759251107221585.150Re-elected
Martin Hunt3183258513512851576.683Re-elected
Wanganeen Emiu207212122119191191453.450
Baron Waqa10366114106260393318.000
Samvic Namaduk8154333243184120313.550
Dempsey Detenamo1011029638817266306.067
Invalid/blank votes4
Total1046
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Buada

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
123456789
Bingham Agir2054713147111126175263.833Re-elected
Shadlog Bernicke16638312114272374115233.197Re-elected
Sean Halstead341086856554959728162.151
Jaxon Olsson3460537371121483613147.085
Sheeva Peo Cook386062615635887633146.688
Rowan Detenamo1135110817569505325128.462
Aie Ribauw1150505111478815915121.830
Elchen Morgan57958455950626784121.782
Nanero Thoma532641075869874641114.917
Invalid/blank votes2
Total511
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Meneng

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1234567891011
Lionel Aingimea44217498574742438080129147643.612Re-elected
Khyde Menke223349117775238394464136191530.630Re-elected
Jesse Jeremiah2231341279588657775160113182450.515Elected
Tawaki Kam146128160109987715394114134126394.145Unseated
Vodrick Detsiogo63921381341311441712191058260315.825
Robert Timothy599911113215513213613213419752306.745
Wiram Wiram8381114899410392136171140236304.314
Ronay Dick1679218192175169156116997841298.646
Jim Brechtefeld686184126103198145168151129106292.628
Samson Rock37810012122916717114613110192254.914
Nickos Simon46472207167204156129130100106292.628
Invalid/blank votes 36
Total 1375
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Ubenide

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1234567891011 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Russ Kun275263235129127464831473925 28 34 24 33 104 46 32592.124Re-elected
David Adeang25427016814596594227382429 25 31 32 48 62 59 157554.938Re-elected
Wawani Dowiyogo23128613510453453329304022 30 28 34 45 89 246 86515.666Re-elected
Reagan Aliklik24966876331331734364346 42 51 39 38 73 148 470409.732Re-elected
Vyko Adeang1486381144765751678910798 91 69 96 73 139 70 47352.390
Ranin Akua108170768085557777638054 58 72 73 96 118 147 76347.464
Gregor Garoa6812715314612314311494806555 60 83 68 84 59 39 14343.897
George Gioura5361121143149169138104887954 64 59 91 69 39 54 31301.159
Daniel Itsamaera51481246964656692124104123 110 138 125 111 58 56 38258.646
Mark Menke21395310996106124125126112106 81 89 143 78 67 61 30228.912
Livingstone Hiram222461618195105103132139112 176 129 100 70 76 47 33213.987
Ceila Giouba 11 20 65 90 117 120 122 150 92 109 83 78 85 52 68 74 83 147 212.373
Aidan Atto 22 29 45 39 63 115 110 143 114 138 164 150 97 102 91 60 51 33 209.879
Starsky Dagagio 11 12 25 52 164 131 105 108 129 115 124 104 98 85 73 55 68 107 199.098
Fabain Ribauw 13 22 34 54 90 99 125 105 106 87 121 102 96 113 146 115 73 65 194.575
Wavman Harris 18 24 27 48 42 80 117 103 95 119 159 111 137 154 133 109 60 30 190.896
Maximillian Kun 5 23 44 56 54 59 93 79 75 70 93 129 167 135 172 149 84 79 176.097
Temakau Tannang 6 19 32 34 54 89 79 95 102 96 98 127 103 100 138 129 174 91 171.506
Invalid/blank votes 64
Total 1630
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Yaren

Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Charmaine Scotty 249 261 68 48 41 78 49 60 449.867 Re-elected
Isabella Dageago 257 49 29 30 37 41 87 324 365.829 Re-elected
Caruso Amwano 156 67 59 57 56 61 210 188 298.283
Hunter Itaia 110 113 107 60 76 150 161 77 289.992
John Julius 18 128 227 143 129 102 67 40 250.788
Charisma Capelle 34 72 135 144 157 155 118 39 229.965
Rumple Cain 20 71 110 221 162 123 80 67 220.120
Mariae Cain 10 93 119 151 196 144 82 59 216.206
Invalid/blank votes 5
Total 859
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Presidential election

Following the elections, the newly elected MPs elected the president, who was required by the constitution be a member of parliament.[24] The first session of the 24th parliament was held on 28 September. Russ Kun, a representative for the Ubenide constituency, was the only candidate for president. Former president Marcus Stephen won re-election as speaker of parliament, whilst outgoing president Lionel Aingimea was elected deputy speaker.[25]

Kun and his thirteen-member cabinet were sworn in a ceremony on 29 September. There were six other ministers besides Kun himself, and seven deputy ministers (which included the two new members). Both heads of resident missions, from Australia and Taiwan, were in attendance.[26] The visiting New Zealand high commissioner met with Kun to offer congratulations,[27] and the non-resident European Union ambassador to the Pacific congratulated him on Twitter.[28]

2023 Presidential election

2023 Nauruan presidential election

30 October 2023
 
Nominee David Adeang Delvin Thoma
Party Independent Independent
Electoral vote 10 8
Percentage 55.56% 44.44%

President before election

Russ Kun
Independent

Elected President

David Adeang
Independent

On 25 October 2023 parliament passed a vote of no confidence against Kun. The same day, parliament unsuccessfully attempted to elect a new president. The two nominees were opposition MP David Adeang and government MP Rennier Gadabu. After two rounds of ballots, the vote was ultimately 9–9 on both occasions. Speaker Marcus Stephen then called for a new presidential vote to be held on 30 October.[29] On 30 October, MP Bingham Agir nominated MP Delvin Thoma for president. After the first secret ballot, MP Adeang and Thoma were tied at nine votes. In the second vote, Thoma received only eight votes to Adeang's ten, resulting in the election of Adeang as president.[30][31]

References

  1. "Statement from NEC: Election Timeline Announced 29 August 2022". Nauru Government Information Office. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. "Nauru election result a decisive call for change – Batsiua". RNZ. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  3. "Waqa dumped by Nauru voters". RNZ. 25 August 2019. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  4. "Aingimea chosen as Waqa's successor in Nauru". RNZ. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  5. Commission, Electoral (29 October 2021). "Public Notice: Candidates for 2022 elections must declare their intention to run now". Nauru Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. "For Candidates". Nauru Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  7. Parliament Jan–Feb 2022 Archived 3 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine Nauru Bulletin, 4 March 2022
  8. "Puna set to go to heal Pacific rift". RNZ. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. "Micronesian leaders to set up permanent secretariat". RNZ. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  10. "Pacific: USP head to fly to Nauru to continue work". ABC Pacific. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  11. Turaga, Semi (25 February 2021). "Professor Pal Ahluwalia and his wife now in Nauru". www.fijivillage.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  12. "Pacific: Nauru's president aims fire at Fiji in support of USP Vice-Chancellor". ABC Pacific. 8 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  13. Electoral system Archived 7 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine IPU
  14. "Who comprises Parliament?". The Government of the Republic of Nauru. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022.
  15. "How was Parliament established?". The Government of the Republic of Nauru. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022.
  16. "Voting". Electoral Commission of Nauru. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  17. Ligaiula, Pita (29 August 2022). "Nauru to go to the polls on 24 September". pina.com.fj. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  18. Magick, Samantha (29 August 2022). "Nauru announces Sept 24 election date". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  19. 1 2 Ligaiula, Pita (28 September 2022). "Russ Kun elected Nauru president unopposed". PINA. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  20. "RELEASE: Pacific Islands Forum Election Observers to Nauru's 2022 General Election > Forum Sec". Forum Sec. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  21. "Nauruans vote for a new parliament". RNZ. 24 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  22. "Nauru, final election results". Oceania Elects. 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  23. "Pacific news in brief for September 26". RNZ. 26 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  24. "Constitution of Nauru". The President III, Constitution of 29 January 1968 (PDF). The Parliament of Nauru. p. 12-13. Archived 8 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Pacific news in brief for September 28". RNZ. 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  26. Pareti, Kite (29 September 2022). "Nauru cabinet sworn into office". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  27. Griffith, Richard (29 September 2022). "Great meeting with His Excellency Rus Kun this morning to offer New Zealand's congratulations on his election and discuss the New Zealand-Nauru relationship 🇳🇿🇳🇷🤜🤛 @MFATNZ". Twitter. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  28. Seam, Sujiro (28 September 2022). "Congratulations to H.E. Russ Kun for his election as the new President of @Republic_Nauru!". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  29. "Nauru Parliament will try again to elect a president today". Loop Nauru. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  30. "David Adeang elected as new Nauru president". Marianas Variety. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  31. "David Adeang elected as the new President of Nauru". RNZ. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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