1974 Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on 5 November 1974.^[1] Carmen Bigler became the first female member of Congress after being elected to House of Representatives from the Fifth District of the Marshall Islands.^[1]

Electoral system[]

The bicameral Congress consisted of a 12-member Senate with two members from each of the six districts and a 21-member House of Representatives with seats apportioned to each district based on their population – five from Truk, four from the Marshall Islands and Ponape, three from the Mariana Islands and Palau and two from Yap.^[2]

Elections were held every two years in November of even-numbered years, with all members of the House of Representatives and half the Senate (one member from each district) renewed at each election.

Results[]

Twelve incumbent members of Congress were defeated, including Marianas Senator Edward Pangelinan, Truk Senator Andon Amaraich, Marianas representative and Marshallese representative , who was unseated by Bigler.^[3]

Senate[]

House of Representatives[]

Aftermath[]

Following the elections, Tosiwo Nakayama was re-elected President of the Senate, whilst was re-elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.^[4]

The election of three members – , and – was challenged, with claims of irregularities. The Credential Committee recommended overturning the election of Aafin, ordering a by-election and launching a criminal investigation into the officials involved in the case. However, in a secret ballot, members of Congress voted to allow Aafin to take his seat by a vote of 9–8.^[5]

References[]