1967 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election

General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1967. All candidates ran as independents.[1]

Background

Earlier in the year the British government promulgated a new constitution for the islands, creating a House of Representatives to replace the Advisory Council. The new House of Representatives had 30 members, of which 23 were elected (19 from the Gilberts and four from Ellice Islands),[2] five civil servants and two ex officio members.[3]

In addition, the Executive Council was replaced with a Governing Council, to consist of five members of the House of Representatives (elected by the House) and two ex officio members.[3]

Results

Only three of the ten members of the former Advisory Council that contested the elections were elected.[4]

Constituency Elected member
AbaiangKabiriera Kararaua
Tuari Bokarawa
AbemamaTekinene Tetabo
Aranuka and KuriaInatio Binoka
AroraeTetebano Aram
BeruOtiuea Tanentoa
ButaritariMareko Ioteba
MaianaTem Jacob
MakinMote Tiotake
MarakeiBuren Ratieta
NikunauAkabo Ebarata
NonoutiKaitara Metai
Northern ElliceFounuku Tipelu
Sione Tui Kleis
OnotoaBabera Kirata
Southern ElliceMelitiana Kaisami
Iosia Taomia
TabiteueaNation Bwenawa
Gilbert Lamusse
TamanaIoteba Tamuera Uriam
Tarawa RuralIoteba Kirieta
Urban TarawaEdward Martin
Reuben Uatioa
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Official members
Position Member
Assistant Resident CommissionerD.G. Cudmore
Assistant Secretary, PersonnelJ.B. McCaig
Attorney GeneralC.P. North-Coombes
Chief Medical OfficerE.P. Hamblett
Commissioner of WorksD.S. Short
Marine SuperintendentG.W. Sharp
Senior Assistant Secretary, FinanceM.D. Allen
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

The new House of Representatives was opened by Resident Commissioner Val Andersen on 8 December 1967. Reuben Uatioa, who founded the Gilbertese National Party in 1965, was elected Chief Elected Member.[2] A Governing Council was formed, consisting of four official members (M.D. Allen, D.G. Cudmore, E.P. Hamblett, C.P. North-Coombes) and five elected members (Uatioa, Edward Martin, Buren Ratieta, Iosia Taomia and Ioteba Tamuera Uriam).[2]

A by-election was held for the Marakei seat in September 1968, which was won by Naboua Ratieta,[5] the brother of the former incumbent Buren Ratieta.

References
  1. Decolonization United Nations, July 1979
  2. Top post for outstanding Gilbertese Pacific Islands Monthly, February 1968, p71
  3. Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
  4. Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
  5. People Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1968, p116
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