Kiribati presidential election, 2012
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Kiribati |
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A presidential election was held in Kiribati on 13 January 2012,[1] following a two-round parliamentary election held in October 2011.[2] Incumbent President Anote Tong sought re-election to a third four-year term, ending months of speculation about his decision.[3][4]
Tong beat Tetaua Taitai and Rimeta Beniamina, who led the Kamaeuraoan Te I-Kiribati political party in the last parliament,[5] with a little over 42% of the vote.[6]
Background
The president, who is elected by popular vote from among three or four candidates chosen by legislators from within the parliament, is limited to three four-year terms under the constitution.[5]
Date
The election, initially scheduled for 30 December 2011, was postponed to 13 January 2012 in order to allow citizens of the country to travel to celebrate the New Year.[7]
Candidates
The new House of Assembly of Kiribati nominated three candidates for the presidency following the 2011 parliamentary election.[5]
- Anote Tong, incumbent President of Kiribati since 2003
- Tetaua Taitai, physician and politician
- Rimeta Beniamina, former leader of the Kamaeuraoan Te I-Kiribati
Results
Incumbent President Anote Tong was the outright winner and re-elected as president of Kiribati, with an aggregate total of 14,315 votes or 42% of the total vote.[6] President Tong defeated his closest challenger, Tetaui Taitai, by more than 7%, or 2,500 votes.[6] The third challenger, Rimeta Beniamina, only received 7,738 votes. Tong was the leading candidate in 14 out of the 23 constituencies.[8][9]
President Tong's percentage of the vote (42%) was much less than his 2007 re-election, when he received 64% of the popular vote.[6]
Voter turnout in Kiribati was approximately 68% for the election.[8] This was higher than the 2007 presidential election, when voter participation was a little over 50%.[6]
| Candidates - Parties | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anote Tong – The Pillars of Truth | 14,315 | 42.18 | |
| Tetaua Taitai | 11,886 | 35.02 | |
| Rimeta Beniamina – Kamaeuraoan Te I-Kiribati | 7,738 | 22.80 | |
| Total (turnout ~68%) | 33,939 | 100.00 | |
| Source: Kiribati Online Community | |||
References
- ↑ http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201112/3400097.htm?desktop
- ↑ http://www.mherrera.org/elections.htm
- ↑ Matau, Robert (2011-10-12). "Tong confirms contesting next election". Islands Business. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ↑ "Kiribati President confident he can win third term". Radio New Zealand International. 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Parliament Nominates 3 Candidates for Kiribati President". The Kiribati Independent (East–West Center's Pacific Islands Report). 2011-11-25. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "Tong wins third term as Kiribati president". Radio Australia. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ↑ "Kiribati elections delayed". Australia News Network. 2011-12-30. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Kiribati’s Tong beats challengers to win third term". Radio New Zealand International. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-13.
- ↑ "Results of the 2012 Presidential Election in Kiribati". Kiribati Online Community. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
External links
- East West Center: Parliament Nominates 3 Candidates for Kiribati President
- Islands Business: Open race for the presidency in Kiribati 15 November 2011
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