114 candidates, including 18 women, run in Kiribati election

Kiribati 2020 election (file photo)
photo: Wuan

The Kiribati election will begin on August 14, with a total of 114 candidates running.

The second round of voting for the 44-seat Maneaba ni Maungatabu in parliament is scheduled for August 19.

All four candidates are elected incumbents and are unopposed.

They are Alexander Teabo and Tinian Reiher of Butaritari, Tekeeua Tarati of Tamana and Booti Nauan of Nantabia.

In contrast, 22 candidates are vying for three seats in Tarawat Nainano.

Of these, eight are vying for three seats on Kiritimati Island, seven are vying for three seats on Betio Island, and seven are vying for two seats on Fanning Island.

A total of 18 women are running, a significant increase from 2020, when only seven women ran.

The presidential election will have to wait until members of the new parliament nominate at least three candidates and participate in an open election, probably in October.

Kiribati journalists say incumbent MP Taneti Maamau, who has served for eight years, may run again for a final term, but he needs to retain his seat in Onotoa first.

Opposition leader Tessie Lambourne’s husband David is a judge of the Kiribati High Court. Deported by the government two months agoneeds to win in Abemama before she can consider running.