2020 Kiribati presidential election

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2020 Kiribati presidential election
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  Taneti Mamau.jpg
BKM
Nominee Taneti Maamau Banuera Berina
Party TKP BKM
Popular vote 26,053 17,866
Percentage 59.32% 40.68%
President before election

Taneti Maamau
Tobwaan Kiribati Party

Elected President

Taneti Maamau
Tobwaan Kiribati Party

Politics of Kiribati
Coat of arms of Kiribati.svg
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Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 22 June 2020.[1] Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with 59% of the vote.[2]

Campaign[]

Relations with China and Taiwan served as the main issue during the election, with Maamau having switched Kiribati's recognition to China from Taiwan and Berina seen as more sympathetic toward Taiwan.[3] The election was seen by many as a critical test for the Chinese Communist Party's expansionary foreign policy.[4][5]

Results[]

The results were declared on 23 June 2020 by Chief Justice John Muria at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in South Tarawa. Maamau won the election with 59% of the vote, receiving a majority in 16 of the 23 constituencies, while Berina finished first in seven constituencies.[6][7]

CandidatePartyVotes%
Taneti MaamauTobwaan Kiribati Party26,05359.32
Banuera BerinaBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party17,86640.68
Total43,919100.00
Valid votes43,91999.75
Invalid/blank votes1120.25
Total votes44,031100.00
Registered voters/turnout55,26879.67
Source: Ministry of Justice

References[]

  1. ^ "Two former allies to face off for Kiribati presidency". RNZ. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  2. ^ Kiribati's pro-China leader wins re-election in blow to Taiwan Reuters, 23 June 2020
  3. ^ Barrett, Jonathan; Blanchard, Ben (19 June 2020). "Fierce presidential election erupts in Pacific amid China-Taiwan tussle". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  4. ^ Pala, Christopher. "China Could Be in Reach of Hawaii After Monday's Election in Kiribati". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ Smith, Nicola (22 June 2020). "Chinese expansion across Pacific faces key test in Kiribati election with island just 1,300m south of Hawaii". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. ^ Association, Pacific Islands News. "Kiribati President Taneti Maamau to be sworn in Wednesday". www.pina.com.fj. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  7. ^ Pala, Christopher (23 June 2020). "Boost for Beijing: pro-China president wins re-election in Kiribati". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
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