2020 Kiribati parliamentary election

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]

2020 Kiribati parliamentary election

← 2015–16 14 April 2020 (first round)
21 April 2020 (second round)
2024 →

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 Eria 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

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

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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

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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. 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).

David Christopher was elected by the Rabi Council of Leaders on 29 April 2020.

Taneti Maamau was re-elected President on 22 June 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: Ministry of Justice, Adam Carr, Radio Kiribati

By constituency

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Abaiang
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Teuea Toatu Tobwaan Kiribati Party 1,114 49.87 1,128
Tekena Tiroa 1,060 47.45 [data missing]
Betero Atanibora Tobwaan Kiribati Party 945 42.30 974
Kautu Tenaua Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 899 40.24 1,025
Arimaere Tambwereti 508 22.74 [data missing]
Total 4,526 100.00
Valid votes 2,234 99.91
Invalid/blank votes 2 0.09
Total votes 2,236 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 2,566 87.14
Abemama
CandidatePartyVotes%
Willie TokataakeTobwaan Kiribati Party77853.51
Tessie Eria LambourneBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party75852.13
Natan Teewe57139.27
Tawaia Anterea Aukitino825.64
Total2,189100.00
Valid votes1,45499.86
Invalid/blank votes20.14
Total votes1,456100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,58391.98
Aranuka
CandidatePartyVotes%
Martin MoretiTobwaan Kiribati Party34655.36
Tianeti Ioane21834.88
Amberoti Nikora619.76
Total625100.00
Valid votes625100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes625100.00
Registered voters/turnout65695.27
Arorae
CandidatePartyVotes%
Teima OnorioBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party27558.64
Ioane Tanieru19441.36
Total469100.00
Valid votes469100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes469100.00
Registered voters/turnout50193.61
Banaba
CandidatePartyVotes%
Tibanga TarataiBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party12775.15
Eribati Totibau4224.85
Total169100.00
Valid votes169100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes169100.00
Registered voters/turnout17298.26
Beru
CandidatePartyVotes%
England IutaBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party72867.66
Bwatoromaio KiritianBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party58654.46
Tetabo Nakara28026.02
Teunroko Anruuti16815.61
James Korona Teriba12611.71
Total1,888100.00
Valid votes1,076100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes1,076100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,15593.16
Betio (BTC)
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Tinte Itinteang Tobwaan Kiribati Party 2,111 47.74 2,352
Tebao Awerika Tobwaan Kiribati Party 1,519 34.35 1,993
Ioteba Redfern Tobwaan Kiribati Party 1,473 33.31 2,041
Tangariki Reete Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 1,252 28.31 1,950
Martin Tofinga 1,153 26.07 [data missing]
Rutiano Benetito 729 16.49
Kianteata Teabo 728 16.46
Toani Benson 396 8.96
Susan Tebaau 103 2.33
John Tabito Tokaibure 93 2.10
Total 9,557 100.00
Valid votes 4,422 99.68
Invalid/blank votes 14 0.32
Total votes 4,436 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 6,352 69.84
Butaritari
CandidatePartyVotes%
Tinian ReiherBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party93264.45
Alexander TeaboTobwaan Kiribati Party77653.67
Koria Tamuera54837.90
Total2,256100.00
Valid votes1,446100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes1,446100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,50696.02
Kiritimati
CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Mikarite TemariTobwaan Kiribati Party1,64347.431,82028.79
Jacob Tieikabu TeemBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party1,43441.401,43422.69
Bakaia KiaboBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party1,25636.261,34421.26
Kirata Temamaka1,03429.851,29020.41
Kataebati Bataua69420.034336.85
Nancy Mikaere3449.93
Inatio Tanentoa2627.56
Taburea Tomataake2537.30
Rutio Bangao2045.89
Ngaruenga Tianere2025.83
Kaitama Toroto1313.78
Kabure Temariti882.54
Total7,545100.006,321100.00
Valid votes3,46499.88
Invalid/blank votes40.12
Total votes3,468100.00
Registered voters/turnout3,71993.25
Kuria
CandidatePartyVotes%
Banuera BerinaBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party34454.86
Tom Robati Murdoch16225.84
Iaon Inatio12119.30
Total627100.00
Valid votes62799.68
Invalid/blank votes20.32
Total votes629100.00
Registered voters/turnout66594.59
Maiana
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Koraubati Remuera Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 705 66.01
Vincent Tong Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 475 44.48 498
David Collins 372 34.83 [data missing]
Kaure Babo 326 30.52 [data missing]
Total 1,878 100.00
Valid votes 1,068 99.81
Invalid/blank votes 2 0.19
Total votes 1,070 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,103 97.01
Makin
CandidatePartyVotes%
James TaomTobwaan Kiribati Party79875.35
Pinto KatiaBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party78674.22
Karea Paul Chen Baireti32430.59
Total1,908100.00
Valid votes1,05999.34
Invalid/blank votes70.66
Total votes1,066100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,10596.47
Marakei
CandidatePartyVotes%
Ruateki TekaiaraTobwaan Kiribati Party86967.94
Moannata IentaakeTobwaan Kiribati Party64450.35
Patrick Tatireta43433.93
Ioteba Tebau30824.08
Ioane Namoriki13310.40
Total2,388100.00
Valid votes1,279100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes1,279100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,36993.43
Nikunau
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Ribanataake Tiwau Tobwaan Kiribati Party 415 48.20 390
Tauanei Marea Tobwaan Kiribati Party 379 44.02 436
Rimeta Beniamina 350 40.65 387
Ngutu Metutera Awira 214 24.85 [data missing]
Matana Anterea 154 17.89
Total 1,512 100.00
Valid votes 861 99.77
Invalid/blank votes 2 0.23
Total votes 863 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 899 96.00
Nonouti
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Dennis Waysang Kumkee 588 43.11 [data missing]
Ieremia Tabai Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 530 38.86 640
Bonteman Tabera Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 482 35.34 629
Elliot Ali 386 28.30 [data missing]
Teekoa Iuta 223 16.35
Toromon Katua 62 4.55
Total 2,271 100.00
Valid votes 1,364 99.78
Invalid/blank votes 3 0.22
Total votes 1,367 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 1,431 95.53
North Tarawa (ETC)
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Harry Tekaiti Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 1,568 48.45 1,718
Atarake Nataara 841 25.99 [data missing]
Terieta Mwemwenikeaki Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 826 25.53 1,398
Boutu Bateriki Baare Tobwaan Kiribati Party 777 24.01 1,197
Emil Uri Tuuti 771 23.83 [data missing]
Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa 604 18.67
Baraam Tetaeka 449 13.88
Teiraoi Tetabea 389 12.02
Taitii Waitie 334 10.32
Maiaa Iona 270 8.34
Total 6,829 100.00
Valid votes 3,236 99.91
Invalid/blank votes 3 0.09
Total votes 3,239 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 3,649 88.76
Onotoa
CandidatePartyVotes%
Taaneti MamauTobwaan Kiribati Party69885.85
Taiaki IrataTobwaan Kiribati Party41551.05
Kouraiti Beniato38647.48
Total1,499100.00
Valid votes81399.88
Invalid/blank votes10.12
Total votes814100.00
Registered voters/turnout84096.90
South Tarawa (TUC)
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Shiu-Fung Jong Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 3,202 4,081
Taoaba Kaiea Tobwaan Kiribati Party 2,846 3,092
Taabeta Teakai Tobwaan Kiribati Party 2,828 4,180
Kourabi Nenem 1,686 [data missing]
Baantarawa Ietimeta 1,213 [data missing]
Semilota Finauga 800
Tabuia Taboree 518
Barry Nawere 398
Mareko Tofinga 383
Beniera Kaitia 257
Eritoa Tewakura Kookia 257
Takaria Ubwaitoi 252
Nokite Abiteti 227
Tamuera Rikate [data missing]
Teimarawa Itakara [data missing]
Tekeeua Kauongo [data missing]
Tirikai Tiraim [data missing]
Total
Valid votes 8,514 99.89
Invalid/blank votes 9 0.11
Total votes 8,523 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 10,454 81.53
Tabiteuea North
CandidatePartyVotes%
Tarakabu TofingaTobwaan Kiribati Party80554.36
Taberannang TimeonBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party75550.98
Kobebe Taitai75050.64
Total2,310100.00
Valid votes1,48199.93
Invalid/blank votes10.07
Total votes1,482100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,65189.76
Tabiteuea South
Candidate Party First round Second round
Votes % Votes %
Booti Nauan Tobwaan Kiribati Party 286 39.89 315
Titabu Tabane 241 33.61 [data missing]
Teorae Kabure 190 26.50 [data missing]
Total 717 100.00
Valid votes 717 99.58
Invalid/blank votes 3 0.42
Total votes 720 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 768 93.75
Tabuaeran
Candidate Party Votes %
Tekiau Aretateta Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 510
Tewaaki Kobae Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 483
Edwin Baraniko [data missing]
Teakin Iakobwa [data missing]
Teraawati Kinta [data missing]
Total
Valid votes 788 100.00
Invalid/blank votes 0 0.00
Total votes 788 100.00
Registered voters/turnout 850 92.71
Tamana
CandidatePartyVotes%
Tekeeua TaratiTobwaan Kiribati Party38486.49
Tenoa Betene6013.51
Total444100.00
Valid votes44499.78
Invalid/blank votes10.22
Total votes445100.00
Registered voters/turnout45996.95
Teraina
CandidatePartyVotes%
Nantongo TimeonBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party50664.96
Kaiaia Teatoi25732.99
Rerekannang Terakau162.05
Total779100.00
Valid votes779100.00
Invalid/blank votes00.00
Total votes779100.00
Registered voters/turnout81895.23

References

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  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. ^ a b Kiribati Pacific Women in Politics
  6. ^ Last elections IPU
  7. ^ Kiribati Election Passport
  8. ^ "Kiribati - House of Assembly". IPU Parline.