2007 Kiribati presidential election explained

Country:Kiribati
Type:presidential
Previous Election:July 2003 Kiribati presidential election
Next Election:2012 Kiribati presidential election
Next Year:2012
Election Date:17 October 2007
Turnout:56.98%
Image1:File:Anote Tong (cropped).jpg
Popular Vote1:15,664
Percentage1:64.29%
Popular Vote2:8,149
Percentage2:33.44%
President
Before Election:Anote Tong
After Election:Anote Tong
Candidate1:Anote Tong
Candidate2:Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa
1Data1:Tabuaeran
Party1:Pillars of Truth
Party2:Independent

Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 17 October 2007,[1] following the 2007 parliamentary election. President Anote Tong, who was re-elected to parliament in the first round of the parliamentary election, sought another term as president.[2] At the first parliamentary session,[1] four candidates were chosen to appear on the ballot: Anote Tong, Patrick Tatireta, Timon Aneri, and Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa. Opposition nominees Harry Tong (Anote Tong's brother) and Tetaua Taitai were excluded from the ballot,[3] upon which the opposition called for a boycott of the election.[4]

Consequently, voter turnout was just above 50%. Tong received more than 15,500 votes, Mwemwenikarawa received over 8,000 votes, and Tatireta and Anera received less than 400 votes each.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2021081.htm "Unclear election results for Kiribati President"
  2. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/23/asia/AS-POL-Kiribati-Election.php "Kiribati president returned at general election, likely will form new government"
  3. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2039236.htm "Nominations prompt call for Kiribati poll boycott"
  4. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2063370.htm "Tong re-elected Kiribati president"