1967 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election

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General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1967. All candidates ran as independents.[1]

Background[]

Earlier in the year the British government promulgated a new constitution for the islands, creating a to replace the . The new House of Representatives had 30 members, of which 23 were elected (19 from the Gilberts and four from Ellice Islands),[2] five civil servants and two ex officio members.[3]

In addition, the Executive Council was replaced with a Governing Council, to consist of five members of the House of Representatives (elected by the House) and two ex officio members.[3]

Results[]

Only three of the ten members of the former Advisory Council that contested the elections were elected.[4]

Constituency Elected member
Abaiang
Abemama
Aranuka and Kuria
Arorae
Beru
Butaritari
Maiana
Makin
Marakei
Nikunau
Nonouti
Northern Ellice
Sione Tui Kleis
Onotoa Babera Kirata
Southern Ellice
Tabiteuea
Tamana Ioteba Tamuera Uriam
Tarawa Rural
Urban Tarawa
Reuben Uatioa
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Official members[]

Position Member
Assistant Resident Commissioner D.G. Cudmore
Assistant Secretary, Personnel J.B. McCaig
Attorney General C.P. North-Coombes
Chief Medical Officer E.P. Hamblett
Commissioner of Works D.S. Short
Marine Superintendent G.W. Sharp
Senior Assistant Secretary, Finance M.D. Allen
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath[]

The new House of Representatives was opened by Resident Commissioner Val Andersen on 8 December 1967. Reuben Uatioa, who founded the Gilbertese National Party in 1965, was elected Chief Elected Member.[2] A Governing Council was formed, consisting of four official members (M.D. Allen, D.G. Cudmore, E.P. Hamblett, C.P. North-Coombes) and five elected members (Uatioa, , , and Ioteba Tamuera Uriam).[2]

A by-election was held for the Marakei seat in September 1968, which was won by Naboua Ratieta,[5] the brother of the former incumbent .

References[]

  1. ^ Decolonization United Nations, July 1979
  2. ^ a b c Top post for outstanding Gilbertese Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1968, p71
  3. ^ a b Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
  4. ^ Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
  5. ^ People Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1968, p116
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