General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 19 March 1971.[1][2]
Background edit
Prior to the elections constitutional changes saw the House of Representatives replaced with a 33-member Legislative Council consisting of 28 elected members, three ex officio members (the Assistant to the Resident Commissioner, the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary)[3] and two civil servants.[4]
Campaign edit
A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.[5] Of the 23 incumbent members, only 13 ran for re-election.[3]
Results edit
Only five of the 23 incumbent MPs were re-elected, with eight of them losing their seat.[3] Tekarei Russell became the first female member of the legislature.[3] Director of Agriculture Ray Harberd and Director of Education Harry Urquhart were appointed as the two nominated official members.[3]
Aftermath edit
The new Legislative Council met for the first time on 14 April.[3] Reuben Uatioa was elected Leader of Government Business.[5] An Executive Council was subsequently appointed by Resident Commissioner John Osbaldiston Field after consultation with Uatioa.[3]
| Executive Council | |
|---|---|
| Position | Member |
| Leader of Government Business | Reuben Uatioa |
| Member for Communications and Lands | Naboua Ratieta |
| Member for Internal Affairs | Otiuea Tanentoa |
| Member for Natural Resources | Isa Paeniu |
| Member for Social Services | Bwebwetake Areieta |
References edit
- ^ "Gilbert, Ellice To The Polls Under A Blazing Noonday Sun". 42(4) Pacific Islands Monthly. 1 April 1971. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
- ^ a b c d e f g New-look Gilbert and Ellice politics may spark ailing public interest Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1971, p24
- ^ Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
- ^ a b Decolonization United Nations, July 1979