June 2010 Nauruan parliamentary election

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June 2010 Nauruan parliamentary election
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All 18 seats in the Parliament of Nauru
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  President Marcus Stephen of Nauru.jpg Baron Waqa.jpg
Leader Marcus Stephen Baron Waqa
Party Independent Independent
Leader's seat Anetan Constituency Boe Constituency
Last election 9 seats 9 seats
Seats won 9 8
Seat change Steady Decrease 1
President before election

Marcus Stephen
Independent

President-designate

Marcus Stephen
Independent

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Early parliamentary elections were held in Nauru on 19 June 2010 after the previous parliamentary election in April 2010 had resulted in a deadlock between government and opposition, tied at nine seats each.[1] This led to an extended state of emergency in Nauru as a result of this election.[2][3]

Background[]

The election occurred during a state of emergency imposed by President of Nauru Marcus Stephen.[2][4] Voters were given just one week's notice for the date of the election.[2]

Results[]

The result was no clear majority,[2] meaning a hung parliament.[5]

One MP belonging to the opposition failed to be re-elected, while all 17 others were re-elected.[6] Independent MP Milton Dube holds the balance of power.[2] The Nauru Parliament's two groups must compete for his support.[7] Dube was elected in Aiwo constituency, unseating Dantes Tsitsi of the Opposition.[7] The new MP declared himself independent, and stated he would support the side which would do the most for his constituency.[7] He wants to reduce the levels of phosphate dust from a problematic drying plant.[7] The MP in favour of government, Doctor Kieren Keke, planned to discuss the matter with Dube within a week of his election.[2] Parliament have scheduled a sitting on the Tuesday morning following the election.[8]

PartyVotes%Seats
Supporters of Marcus Stephen9
Opponents of Marcus Stephen8
Independents1
Total18
Valid votes5,18097.98
Invalid/blank votes1072.02
Total votes5,287100.00
Registered voters/turnout5,70492.69
Source: Australia Network News, IPU

Aftermath[]

Aloysius Amwano was elected as speaker on 30 June, but demanded that Stephen stand down as president.[9] Stephen's followers agreed to this, but only if the new president came from their ranks, with their preferred nominee being Kieren Keke. However, there are two other contenders, Baron Waqa (the opposition leader)[10] and Godfrey Thoma.[11]

Rykers Solomon, an opposition MP, joined the government on 6 July, but Amwano nonetheless refused to allow a motion to elect the president, suspending parliament until 8 July.[12] Amwano was then dismissed on 7 July by Stephen,[13] but refused to quit.[14] In a short parliamentary session held on 9 July, Deputy Speaker Landon Deireragea announced that he had assumed the Speaker's position.[15]

Following further disagreements, the president called a state of emergency.[16]

On 1 November former President Ludwig Scotty was elected Speaker, ending the deadlock. Marcus Stephen was subsequently re-elected as President, defeating Milton Dube 11 to 6.[17]

References[]

  1. ^ "Nauru to go back to the polls after seven weeks of stalemate". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "No clear majority in Nauru election". Australia Network News. 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  3. ^ "Results of the General Election held on 19th June 2010" (PDF). Parliament of Nauru. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Nauru's newly elected MPs lobby to form new government". Australia Network News. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  5. ^ "Unofficial results from Nauru election indicate on going stalemate". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  6. ^ "AFP: Nauru still deadlocked after second election". Google.com. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
  7. ^ a b c d "Both groups in Nauru Parliament vie for support of single new MP". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  8. ^ "Plans for coalition still alive in Nauru after another indecisive election". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  9. ^ "Pacific Beat:Story:Nauru elects speaker who pushes for new president". Radio Australia. 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  10. ^ "Hopes Nauru deadlock can be solved today". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-07-01. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  11. ^ "ABC Radio Australia News:Stories:Nauru edges closer towards political deal". Radioaustralianews.net.au. 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  12. ^ "Nauru Government breaks parliamentary deadlock but Speaker blocks vote". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  13. ^ "Nauru speaker removed as deadlock continues". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-07-08. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  14. ^ "Stories:Nauru Speaker refuses order to quit". Australia Network News. 2010-07-08. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  15. ^ "Nauru parliament sits briefly again amid Speaker void". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-07-09. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  16. ^ "Nauru's SOE extended for 21 days". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
  17. ^ "Nauru deadlock ends as Scotty accepts speaker's position". Radio New Zealand International. 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
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