Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati on 30 December 2015, with a second round of voting for 25 seats on 7 January 2016.[1] The result was a victory for the Pillars of Truth party, which won 26 of the 46 seats.
The 46 member of the House of Assembly are elected by three methods; 44 are elected in 23 single- and multi-member constituencies using a modified two-round system. Voters had as many votes to cast as the number of seats in their constituencies, and a candidate was elected in the first round if they received more than 50% of the ballots cast. Where not all seats were filled, a second round was held with the number of candidates being equal to the number of remaining seats plus two. A tie in the second round would have resulted in a third round of voting.[2] The other two members of the House consisted of one seat elected by the Rabi Council of Leaders,[2] and the Attorney General, as an ex-officio member until the Change of Constitution in October 2016. The Speaker elected after the elections from outside the House of Assembly, is not an MP.[3]
Results[]
Of the 44 seats, 19 were won in the first round and 25 went to a run-off.[4] In the first round, incumbent minister lost his seat.[5] In the run-off, Labour Minister and Environment Minister lost their seats. Former President Teatao Teannaki also lost his seat on Abaiang. However, former presidents Ieremia Tabai and Teburoro Tito retained their seats.[4]
On Onotoa, retained his seat, while on Maiana new MPs David Collins and were elected; In North Tarawa, two new MPs, and , were elected, while , former leader of Maurin Kiribati and candidate for president, lost; on Kiritimati, Kirata Temwamwaka and were elected; while Uriam Iabeta won her Teraina seat in the Line Islands.[4]
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