Parliamentary elections were held in the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands on 2 November 1976, except in Palau, where they were delayed until 7 December due to a legal challenge over redistricting.[1] They were the last territory-wide elections; the planned elections in 1978 were cancelled as the territory was split into the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.[2]
Electoral system
editThe bicameral Congress consisted of a 12-member Senate with two members from each of the six districts and a 22-member House of Representatives with seats apportioned to each district based on their population – seven from Truk, five from the Marshall Islands, four from Ponape, three from Palau, two from Yap and one from the new district of Kosrae. The Marianas district (which had previously elected three representatives) ceased to exist when the Northern Mariana Islands became a US commonwealth in 1975.
Elections were held every two years in November of even-numbered years, with all members of the House of Representatives and half the Senate (one member from each district) renewed at each election. Two senators were elected from the new district of Kosrae in 1976.
Results
editSenate
edit| District | Elected Member | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kosrae | Joab Sigrah | Previously a representative |
| Hirosi Ismael | ||
| Marshalls | Wilfred Kendall | Re-elected |
| Palau | Kaleb Udui | |
| Ponape | Bailey Olter | Re-elected |
| Truk | Tosiwo Nakayama | Re-elected |
| Yap | John Mangefel | Re-elected |
| Source: Highlights, Highlights | ||
House of Representatives
edit| District | Constituency | Elected Member | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kosrae | 1st District | Kasuo Isisaki | |
| Marshalls | 1st District | John Heine | |
| 2nd District | Chuji Chutaro | ||
| 3rd District | Ekpap Silk | Re-elected | |
| 4th District | Ruben Zackhras | ||
| 5th District | Ataji Balos | Re-elected | |
| Palau | 1st District | Kuniwo Nakamura | Re-elected |
| 2nd District | Polycarp Basilius | Re-elected | |
| 3rd District | Isidoro Rudimch | Re-elected | |
| Ponape | 1st District | Daro Weital | |
| 2nd District | Kikuo Apis | ||
| 3rd District | Edgar Edwards | Re-elected | |
| 4th District | Bethwel Henry | Re-elected | |
| Truk | 1st District | Sasauo Haruo | Re-elected |
| 2nd District | Chiro Albert | ||
| 3rd District | Julio Akapito | ||
| 4th District | Raymond Setik | Re-elected | |
| 5th District | Lambert Aafin | Re-elected | |
| 6th District | Hans Wiliander | ||
| 7th District | Kalisto Refonopei | Re-elected | |
| Yap | 1st District | Luke M. Tman | Re-elected |
| 2nd District | John Haglelgam | Re-elected | |
| Source: Highlights, Highlights | |||
Aftermath
editFollowing the elections, Tosiwo Nakayama was re-elected President of the Senate, whilst Bethwel Henry was re-elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.[3]
References
edit- ^ COM Election Results Tabulated Highlights, 15 November 1976, p2
- ^ Elections Coming Up Highlights, 1 November 1978, p2
- ^ COM Organizes, Elects Officers Highlights, 15 January 1977, p3