1974 Ellice Islands self-determination referendum

A referendum on separating from the Gilbert Islands was held in the Ellice Islands (then administered together as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands) between July and September 1974.[1] A rolling ballot was used, starting in July in Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands before being taken to each resident of the Ellice Islands.[1]

The result was 93% of voters in favour of separation, with a voter turnout of 88%. In October the following year the islands were officially separated, and four years after the referendum, the islands became the independent nation of Tuvalu, whilst the Gilbert Islands became Kiribati.[2]

Background

Following objections to self-government for the Gilbert and Ellice Islands from the 8 representatives of the Ellice Islands due to concerns about the Gilbert Islands being the dominant part of the territory, an inquiry was held by the British representative Leslie Monson.[3] Following the inquiry, the British government granted the referendum.[4] Proposals for a federal system that would lessen concerns about Gilbertese domination were rejected by GEIC Leader of Government Business Reuben Uatioa, founder of the Gilbertese National Party, who stated "it is either secession or the present type of unitary government."[4]

Prior to the referendum, the British government stated that if separation were to happen, the Ellice Islands would not receive any share of the Gilberts' phosphate revenues from Ocean Island and that the assets of the GEIC outside the Ellice Islands would remain the property of the Gilbert Islands.[3] However, separation was still supported by all prominent Ellice Islands politicians except Isakala Paeniu, a government minister.[5]

Results

The ballot paper had two options:[3]

1. The establishment of a separate Ellice Islands Colony
2. To remain with the Gilberts as part of the GEIC and what the colony becomes when its status is altered.

Choice	Votes	%
Establishment of a separate colony	3,799	92.8
Remain part of the GEIC	293	7.2
Invalid/blank votes	40	–
Total	4,132	100
Registered voters/turnout	4,676	88.4
Source: Nohlen et al.

Reactions

After the results were announced, Chief Minister Naboua Ratieta stated "Personally I am sorry they have decided to separate from us. After all, we have been friends for a long time, and so far as my administration is concerned, there would have been no question whatever of any political domination of the Ellice people by the Gilbertese".[5] Paeniu said "I'm sorry to find there are only 200-odd sensible Ellice Islanders. They are, perhaps, the only people who voted with full knowledge of the tough implications of the whole issue... I'm sorry to say that the Ellice leaders, who advocate separation, have not come to grips with the real problems facing small, almost unknown communities in the world today."[5]

References

1. Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p829 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
2. McIntyre, W. David (2012). "The Partition of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands" (PDF). Island Studies Journal. 7 (1): 135–146.
3. Moment of decision for Ellice Pacific Islands Monthly, August 1974, p8
4. Two big decisions for the Ellice Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1974, p6
5. Ellice votes the 'E' out of the GEIC Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1974, p8