Banaba by-election, 2014

A by-election is due to be held in the Banaba constitution for the House of Assembly of Kiribati on 18 July 2014. It follows the death of incumbent Assembly member Timon Aneri in May.

Overview

Banaba is a single-seat constituency. Aneri had first won the seat in the May 2003 parliamentary election, holding it in 2007 and 2011. He sat as a government backbencher for the Pillars of Truth party.

To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of votes cast. If no candidate in this by-election is elected in the first round on 18 July, a second round will be held between the top three candidates ten days later, this time on a first past the post basis.

Banaba is an island with a population of "around two hundred people". Formerly important due to its now depleted phosphate reserves, it saw much of its population deported to Rabi island in Fiji while under British administration after the Second World War. Banaba briefly experienced a secessionist movement from the rest of Kiribati in the 1970s. Under articles 117 and 118 of the Constitution of Kiribati, Banabans residing in Banaba elect one representative to Parliament, while Banabans residing in Rabi have a nominated representative in Parliament, chosen by the Rabi council.

Result

upcoming election