1971 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election
General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 19 March 1971.[1][2]
Background[]
Prior to the elections constitutional changes saw the replaced with a 33-member consisting of 28 elected members, three ex officio members (the Assistant to the Resident Commissioner, the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary)[3] and two civil servants.[4]
Campaign[]
A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.[5] Of the 23 incumbent members, only 13 ran for re-election.[3]
Results[]
Only five of the 23 incumbent MPs were re-elected, with eight of them losing their seat.[3] Tekarei Russell became the first female member of the legislature.[3] Director of Agriculture and Director of Education were appointed as the two nominated official members.[3]
| Constituency | Elected member |
|---|---|
| Abemama | |
| Beru | |
| Funafuti | |
| Kuria | |
| Maiana | Bwebwetake Areieta |
| Makin | |
| Marakei | Naboua Ratieta |
| Nanumea | |
| Niutao | Tomu Sione |
| Nui | Sione Tui Kleis |
| Nukulaelae | |
| South Tabiteuea | |
| Urban Tarawa | Tekarei Russell |
| Reuben Uatioa | |
| Source: PIM, PIM, PIM, PIM | |
Aftermath[]
The new Legislative Council met for the first time on 14 April.[3] Reuben Uatioa was elected Leader of Government Business.[5] An Executive Council was subsequently appointed by Resident Commissioner John Osbaldiston Field after consultation with Uatioa.[3]
| Executive Council | |
|---|---|
| Position | Member |
| Leader of Government Business | Reuben Uatioa |
| Member for Communications and Lands | Naboua Ratieta |
| Member for Internal Affairs | |
| Member for Natural Resources | |
| Member for Social Services | Bwebwetake Areieta |
References[]
- ^ "Gilbert, Ellice To The Polls Under A Blazing Noonday Sun". 42(4) Pacific Islands Monthly. 1 April 1971. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
- ^ a b c d e f g New-look Gilbert and Ellice politics may spark ailing public interest Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1971, p24
- ^ Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
- ^ a b Decolonization United Nations, July 1979
| Presidential elections | |
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| Parliamentary elections | |
* As part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands | |
| General elections | |
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| Referendums | |
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- 1971 elections in Oceania
- Elections in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
- 1971 in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands
- Non-partisan elections