2020 Kiribati presidential election
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Registered | 55,268 | ||||||||||||||||
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Turnout | 79.67% | ||||||||||||||||
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Subdivisions |
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Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 22 June 2020.[1] Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with 59% of the vote.[2]
Campaign[edit]
Relations with China and Taiwan was the main issue during the elections, with Maamau having switched Kiribati's recognition to China from Taiwan, while Berina seen as more sympathetic toward Taiwan.[3] The elections were seen by many as a critical test for the Chinese Communist Party's expansionist foreign policy.[4][5]
Results[edit]
The results were declared on 23 June 2020 by Chief Justice John Muria at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in South Tarawa. Maamau won the election with 59% of the vote, receiving a majority in 16 of the 23 constituencies, while Berina finished first in seven constituencies.[6][7]
Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
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Taneti Maamau | Tobwaan Kiribati Party | 26,053 | 59.32 | |
Banuera Berina | Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party | 17,866 | 40.68 | |
Total | 43,919 | 100.00 | ||
Valid votes | 43,919 | 99.75 | ||
Invalid/blank votes | 112 | 0.25 | ||
Total votes | 44,031 | 100.00 | ||
Registered voters/turnout | 55,268 | 79.67 | ||
Source: Ministry of Justice |
References[edit]
- ^ "Two former allies to face off for Kiribati presidency". RNZ. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
- ^ Kiribati's pro-China leader wins re-election in blow to Taiwan Reuters, 23 June 2020
- ^ Barrett, Jonathan; Blanchard, Ben (19 June 2020). "Fierce presidential election erupts in Pacific amid China-Taiwan tussle". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
- ^ Pala, Christopher. "China Could Be in Reach of Hawaii After Monday's Election in Kiribati". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ Smith, Nicola (22 June 2020). "Chinese expansion across Pacific faces key test in Kiribati election with island just 1,300m south of Hawaii". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ "Kiribati President Taneti Maamau to be sworn in Wednesday". www.pina.com.fj. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Pala, Christopher (23 June 2020). "Boost for Beijing: pro-China president wins re-election in Kiribati". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 June 2020.