1971 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election

General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 19 March 1971.[1]

Background

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)[2] and two civil servants.[3]

Campaign

A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.[4] Of the 23 incumbent members, only 13 ran for re-election.[2]

Results

Only five of the 23 incumbent MPs were re-elected, with eight of them losing their seat.[2] Tekarei Russell became the first female member of the legislature.[2] Director of Agriculture Ray Harberd and Director of Education Harry Urquhart were appointed as the two nominated official members.[2]

Constituency Elected member
AbemamaBauro Tokatake
BeruOtiuea Tanentoa
FunafutiBenjamin Kofe
KuriaPaul Binatake Tokatake
MaianaBwebwetake Areieta
MakinIbeata Tonganieia
MarakeiNaboua Ratieta
NanumeaTelavi Fati
NiutaoTomu Sione
NuiSione Tui Kleis
NukulaelaeIsa Paeniu
South TabiteueaBureua Kamaoto
Urban TarawaTekarei Russell
Reuben Uatioa
Source: PIM, PIM, PIM, PIM

Aftermath

The new Legislative Council met for the first time on 14 April.[2] Reuben Uatioa was elected Leader of Government Business.[4] An Executive Council was subsequently appointed by Resident Commissioner John Osbaldiston Field after consultation with Uatioa.[2]

Executive Council
Position Member
Leader of Government BusinessReuben Uatioa
Member for Communications and LandsNaboua Ratieta
Member for Internal AffairsOtiuea Tanentoa
Member for Natural ResourcesIsa Paeniu
Member for Social ServicesBwebwetake Areieta

References
  1. Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
  2. New-look Gilbert and Ellice politics may spark ailing public interest Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1971, p24
  3. Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
  4. Decolonization United Nations, July 1979
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