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.Kiribati to go to polls for elections in April Radio New Zealand, 6 March 2020 However, in late March the Electoral Commission changed the voting date to 14 April 2020,44,929 registered for elections Radio Kiribati, 26 March 2020 with a second round on 21 April 2020.RNZ, 21 April 2020

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. 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)Kiribati Pacific Women in Politics 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.Last elections IPU

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. 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.Kiribati Election Passport

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. 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.

By constituency

+AbaiangCandidate Party First round Second round Votes % Votes % Teuea Toatu Tobwaan Kiribati Party 1,114 49.87 1,128 Tekena Tiroa 1,060 47.45 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 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

+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 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

+MaianaCandidate 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 Kaure Babo 326 30.52 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

+NikunauCandidate 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 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 +NonoutiCandidate Party First round Second round Votes % Votes % Dennis Waysang Kumkee 588 43.11 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 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 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 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

+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 Baantarawa Ietimeta 1,213 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 Teimarawa Itakara Tekeeua Kauongo Tirikai Tiraim 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 SouthCandidate Party First round Second round Votes % Votes % Booti Nauan Tobwaan Kiribati Party 286 39.89 315 Titabu Tabane 241 33.61 Teorae Kabure 190 26.50 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 +TabuaeranCandidate Party Votes % Tekiau Aretateta Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 510 Tewaaki Kobae Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party 483 Edwin Baraniko Teakin Iakobwa Teraawati Kinta Total Valid votes 788 100.00Invalid/blank votes 0 0.00Total votes 788 100.00Registered voters/turnout 850 92.71

References