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2022 Nauruan parliamentary election

(Redirected from 2022 Nauruan presidential election)

Parliamentary elections were held in Nauru on 24 September 2022 to elect all 19 members of parliament.[1] All candidates were elected on a non-partisan basis. Following the election, Russ Kun, a member of parliament for Ubenide, was elected president by parliament.

2022 Nauruan parliamentary election
← 2019 24 September 2022 2025 →
President00000 before election

Lionel Aingimea

 Elected
President

Russ Kun

Background

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In the 2019 elections, nearly half of the Parliament members lost their seats, including incumbent President Baron Waqa.[2] Justice minister David Adeang, Waqa's deputy, retained his seat.[3] Adeang was a candidate in the following presidential election; he lost to Lionel Aingimea, who had been an assistant minister.[4]

The Aingimea government implemented some electoral changes. Potential candidates in regularly scheduled general elections were now required to register their intention 270 days before the end of the parliamentary term.[5] These declared candidates would then file nominations during the nomination period.[6] To address public concerns about granting citizenship to foreigners, the government held a constitutional referendum in 2021 which disqualified naturalised citizens and their descendants from running for Parliament.[7]

Aingimea also pushed for strong stances in Pacific affairs. Nauru supported the Micronesia boycott of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2021, which aimed for a Micronesian secretary-general;[8] it also offered to temporarily host a Micronesia secretariat.[9] When University of the South Pacific Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia was deported from Fiji after investigating university finances, Nauru hosted Ahluwalia at its campus for the term.[10][11] Aingimea also supported the USP Council's decision to renew Ahluwalia's contract, and commissioned the auditing firm BDO to further pursue the investigation.[12]

Electoral system

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The 19 members of Parliament are elected from eight multi-member constituencies using the Dowdall system, a version of ranked voting; voters rank candidates, with the votes counted as a fraction of one divided by the ranking number (e.g. a candidate ranked second will be scored as 1⁄2); the candidates with the highest total are elected.[13] There are no political parties, so all candidates run as independents. Informal groups do form in Parliament, but membership is fluid.[14]

Parliament is elected for a three-year term, but can be dissolved earlier. The government, which comprises the President and the Cabinet, must retain the support of a majority in Parliament.[15]

All citizens aged 20 and older are permitted to cast their ballot; once an individual reaches voting age, they are automatically added to the electoral roll. Voting is compulsory in Nauru; individuals who fail to vote without sufficient reasoning are required to pay a fine. Nauruans who provide proof of illness, are in hospital or are not present in the country on election day are excused. However, Nauruans overseas on the polling day have the option to engage in proxy voting, where an individual assigns someone in Nauru to vote on their behalf. The electoral commission provides a mobile voting service for voters hospitalised or unable to go to polling stations due to incapacity, involving polling staff travelling to these individuals to ensure they can cast their ballot.[16]

Conduct

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On 29 August, Speaker of Parliament Marcus Stephen issued a writ of election for 24 September. 8,054 eligible voters registered for this election. The electoral roll was opened between 1 and 3 September for verification.[17] Nominations were accepted between 4 and 10 September.[18] 77 candidates were nominated to contest the election.[19] The Pacific Islands Forum sent an election monitoring team led by Feue Tipu, the High Commissioner of Tuvalu to New Zealand.[20]

Early voting commenced on 19 September. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the electoral commission encouraged polling stations to enforce rigorous hygiene measures. On election day, 24 September, the polling concluded at 6 pm local time.[21]

Results

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The vote count began after the close of polls, and was completed on Monday, 26 September. The speaker and the twelve government members retained their seats. Out of the six opposition members, two were unseated: Milton Dube (Aiwo) and Tawaki Kam (Meneng).[19][22]

Former presidents Ludwig Scotty and Baron Waqa ran for election, but did not enter Parliament.[23]

Aiwo

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Rennier Gadabu 248 178 66 38 12 23 17 30 40 146 399.956 Re-elected
Delvin Thoma 183 166 76 64 53 29 53 58 87 29 350.155 Elected
Milton Dube 142 74 67 62 60 35 56 73 82 147 275.603 Unseated
Aaron Cook 84 35 60 61 62 89 91 144 115 57 213.461
Vania Scotty 60 51 53 76 89 141 118 76 88 46 204.202
Clarissa Jeremiah 38 68 113 79 91 115 118 86 58 32 204.035
Shane Detenamo 15 57 151 122 116 83 91 71 57 35 193.075
Ken Blake 9 55 89 117 175 112 83 76 53 29 179.229
Cory Caleb 3 93 69 42 48 83 76 101 121 162 159.560
Evi Agir 16 21 54 137 92 88 95 83 97 115 158.041
Invalid/blank votes 17
Total 815
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Anabar

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Pyon Deiye 300 211 38 50 14 13 5 22 5 439.653 Re-elected
Maverick Eoe 245 192 48 22 18 21 16 14 82 382.747 Re-elected
Ludwig Scotty 57 43 39 48 53 51 75 149 143 167.828
Marita Agigo 17 58 68 85 52 64 197 91 26 153.390
Bureiy Deireragea 15 36 72 68 173 135 58 55 46 151.372
Junior Olsson 19 53 101 57 52 40 61 102 173 151.170
Patrick Scotty 4 44 54 176 104 98 61 63 54 147.723
Dawson Agege 1 9 169 64 96 62 88 92 77 139.994
Narmi Doguape 0 12 69 88 96 174 97 70 52 127.585
Invalid/blank votes 17
Total 675
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Anetan

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Timothy Ika 483 324 30 22 20 19 667.667 Re-elected
Marcus Stephen 298 346 75 43 48 88 531.017 Re-elected
Raynor Tom 39 89 188 125 398 59 266.850
Clifford Simon 11 46 260 365 151 65 252.950
Cyril Buraman 62 68 62 79 74 553 243.383
Begg Adire 5 25 283 264 207 114 238.233
Invalid/blank votes 11
Total 909
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Boe

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6
Asterio Appi 396 175 92 51 107 221 585.150 Re-elected
Martin Hunt 318 325 85 135 128 51 576.683 Re-elected
Wanganeen Emiu 207 212 122 119 191 191 453.450
Baron Waqa 103 66 114 106 260 393 318.000
Samvic Namaduk 8 154 333 243 184 120 313.550
Dempsey Detenamo 10 110 296 388 172 66 306.067
Invalid/blank votes 4
Total 1046
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Buada

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Bingham Agir 205 47 13 14 7 11 11 26 175 263.833 Re-elected
Shadlog Bernicke 166 38 31 21 14 27 23 74 115 233.197 Re-elected
Sean Halstead 34 108 68 56 55 49 59 72 8 162.151
Jaxon Olsson 34 60 53 73 71 121 48 36 13 147.085
Sheeva Peo Cook 38 60 62 61 56 35 88 76 33 146.688
Rowan Detenamo 11 35 110 81 75 69 50 53 25 128.462
Aie Ribauw 11 50 50 51 114 78 81 59 15 121.830
Elchen Morgan 5 79 58 45 59 50 62 67 84 121.782
Nanero Thoma 5 32 64 107 58 69 87 46 41 114.917
Invalid/blank votes 2
Total 511
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Meneng

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Lionel Aingimea 442 174 98 57 47 42 43 80 80 129 147 643.612 Re-elected
Khyde Menke 223 349 117 77 52 38 39 44 64 136 191 530.630 Re-elected
Jesse Jeremiah 223 134 127 95 88 65 77 75 160 113 182 450.515 Elected
Tawaki Kam 146 128 160 109 98 77 153 94 114 134 126 394.145 Unseated
Vodrick Detsiogo 63 92 138 134 131 144 171 219 105 82 60 315.825
Robert Timothy 59 99 111 132 155 132 136 132 134 197 52 306.745
Wiram Wiram 83 81 114 89 94 103 92 136 171 140 236 304.314
Ronay Dick 16 79 218 192 175 169 156 116 99 78 41 298.646
Jim Brechtefeld 68 61 84 126 103 198 145 168 151 129 106 292.628
Samson Rock 3 78 100 121 229 167 171 146 131 101 92 254.914
Nickos Simon 4 64 72 207 167 204 156 129 130 100 106 292.628
Invalid/blank votes 36
Total 1375
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Ubenide

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Russ Kun 275 263 235 129 127 46 48 31 47 39 25 28 34 24 33 104 46 32 592.124 Re-elected
David Adeang 254 270 168 145 96 59 42 27 38 24 29 25 31 32 48 62 59 157 554.938 Re-elected
Wawani Dowiyogo 231 286 135 104 53 45 33 29 30 40 22 30 28 34 45 89 246 86 515.666 Re-elected
Reagan Aliklik 249 66 87 63 31 33 17 34 36 43 46 42 51 39 38 73 148 470 409.732 Re-elected
Vyko Adeang 148 63 81 144 76 57 51 67 89 107 98 91 69 96 73 139 70 47 352.390
Ranin Akua 108 170 76 80 85 55 77 77 63 80 54 58 72 73 96 118 147 76 347.464
Gregor Garoa 68 127 153 146 123 143 114 94 80 65 55 60 83 68 84 59 39 14 343.897
George Gioura 53 61 121 143 149 169 138 104 88 79 54 64 59 91 69 39 54 31 301.159
Daniel Itsamaera 51 48 124 69 64 65 66 92 124 104 123 110 138 125 111 58 56 38 258.646
Mark Menke 21 39 53 109 96 106 124 125 126 112 106 81 89 143 78 67 61 30 228.912
Livingstone Hiram 22 24 61 61 81 95 105 103 132 139 112 176 129 100 70 76 47 33 213.987
Ceila Giouba 11 20 65 90 117 120 122 150 92 109 83 78 85 52 68 74 83 147 212.373
Aidan Atto 22 29 45 39 63 115 110 143 114 138 164 150 97 102 91 60 51 33 209.879
Starsky Dagagio 11 12 25 52 164 131 105 108 129 115 124 104 98 85 73 55 68 107 199.098
Fabain Ribauw 13 22 34 54 90 99 125 105 106 87 121 102 96 113 146 115 73 65 194.575
Wavman Harris 18 24 27 48 42 80 117 103 95 119 159 111 137 154 133 109 60 30 190.896
Maximillian Kun 5 23 44 56 54 59 93 79 75 70 93 129 167 135 172 149 84 79 176.097
Temakau Tannang 6 19 32 34 54 89 79 95 102 96 98 127 103 100 138 129 174 91 171.506
Invalid/blank votes 64
Total 1630
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Yaren

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Candidate Preference votes Total Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Charmaine Scotty 249 261 68 48 41 78 49 60 449.867 Re-elected
Isabella Dageago 257 49 29 30 37 41 87 324 365.829 Re-elected
Caruso Amwano 156 67 59 57 56 61 210 188 298.283
Hunter Itaia 110 113 107 60 76 150 161 77 289.992
John Julius 18 128 227 143 129 102 67 40 250.788
Charisma Capelle 34 72 135 144 157 155 118 39 229.965
Rumple Cain 20 71 110 221 162 123 80 67 220.120
Mariae Cain 10 93 119 151 196 144 82 59 216.206
Invalid/blank votes 5
Total 859
Source: Electoral Commission of Nauru

Presidential election

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Following the elections, the newly elected MPs elected the president, who was required by the constitution be a member of parliament.[24] The first session of the 24th parliament was held on 28 September. Russ Kun, a representative for the Ubenide constituency, was the only candidate for president. Former president Marcus Stephen won re-election as speaker of parliament, whilst outgoing president Lionel Aingimea was elected deputy speaker.[25]

Kun and his thirteen-member cabinet were sworn in a ceremony on 29 September. There were six other ministers besides Kun himself, and seven deputy ministers (which included the two new members). Both heads of resident missions, from Australia and Taiwan, were in attendance.[26] The visiting New Zealand high commissioner met with Kun to offer congratulations,[27] and the non-resident European Union ambassador to the Pacific congratulated him on Twitter.[28]

2023 Presidential election

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2023 Nauruan presidential election
 
30 October 2023
     
Nominee David Adeang Delvin Thoma
Party Independent Independent
Electoral vote 10 8
Percentage 55.56% 44.44%
President before election

Russ Kun
Independent

Elected President

David Adeang
Independent

On 25 October 2023 parliament passed a vote of no confidence against Kun. The same day, parliament unsuccessfully attempted to elect a new president. The two nominees were opposition MP David Adeang and government MP Rennier Gadabu. After two rounds of ballots, the vote was ultimately 9–9 on both occasions. Speaker Marcus Stephen then called for a new presidential vote to be held on 30 October.[29] On 30 October, MP Bingham Agir nominated MP Delvin Thoma for president. After the first secret ballot, MP Adeang and Thoma were tied at nine votes. In the second vote, Thoma received only eight votes to Adeang's ten, resulting in the election of Adeang as president.[30][31]

References

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  1. ^ "Statement from NEC: Election Timeline Announced 29 August 2022". Nauru Government Information Office. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Nauru election result a decisive call for change – Batsiua". RNZ. 26 August 2019. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Waqa dumped by Nauru voters". RNZ. 25 August 2019. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Aingimea chosen as Waqa's successor in Nauru". RNZ. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Public Notice: Candidates for 2022 elections must declare their intention to run now". Nauru Electoral Commission. 29 October 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  6. ^ "For Candidates". Nauru Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  7. ^ Parliament Jan–Feb 2022 Archived 3 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine Nauru Bulletin, 4 March 2022
  8. ^ "Puna set to go to heal Pacific rift". RNZ. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Micronesian leaders to set up permanent secretariat". RNZ. 10 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Pacific: USP head to fly to Nauru to continue work". ABC Pacific. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  11. ^ Turaga, Semi (25 February 2021). "Professor Pal Ahluwalia and his wife now in Nauru". www.fijivillage.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Pacific: Nauru's president aims fire at Fiji in support of USP Vice-Chancellor". ABC Pacific. 8 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  13. ^ Electoral system Archived 7 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine IPU
  14. ^ "Who comprises Parliament?". The Government of the Republic of Nauru. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022.
  15. ^ "How was Parliament established?". The Government of the Republic of Nauru. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022.
  16. ^ "Voting". Electoral Commission of Nauru. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  17. ^ Ligaiula, Pita (29 August 2022). "Nauru to go to the polls on 24 September". pina.com.fj. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  18. ^ Magick, Samantha (29 August 2022). "Nauru announces Sept 24 election date". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  19. ^ a b Ligaiula, Pita (28 September 2022). "Russ Kun elected Nauru president unopposed". PINA. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  20. ^ "RELEASE: Pacific Islands Forum Election Observers to Nauru's 2022 General Election > Forum Sec". Forum Sec. 23 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Nauruans vote for a new parliament". RNZ. 24 September 2022. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Nauru, final election results". Oceania Elects. 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Pacific news in brief for September 26". RNZ. 26 September 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  24. ^ Constitution of Nauru (PDF) (Constitution, The President III). The Parliament of Nauru. 29 January 1968. p. 12-13. Archived 8 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ "Pacific news in brief for September 28". RNZ. 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  26. ^ Pareti, Kite (29 September 2022). "Nauru cabinet sworn into office". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  27. ^ Griffith, Richard (29 September 2022). "Great meeting with His Excellency Rus Kun this morning to offer New Zealand's congratulations on his election and discuss the New Zealand-Nauru relationship 🇳🇿🇳🇷🤜🤛 @MFATNZ". Twitter. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  28. ^ Seam, Sujiro (28 September 2022). "Congratulations to H.E. Russ Kun for his election as the new President of @Republic_Nauru!". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
  29. ^ "Nauru Parliament will try again to elect a president today". Loop Nauru. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  30. ^ "David Adeang elected as new Nauru president". Marianas Variety. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  31. ^ "David Adeang elected as the new President of Nauru". RNZ. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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