2020 Kiribati presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 22 June 2020,[1] following parliamentary elections in April. Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with 59% of the vote.[2]

2020 Kiribati presidential election

← 2016 22 June 2020 2024 →
Turnout79.67%
 
Candidate Taneti Maamau Banuera Berina
Party TKP BKM
Popular vote 26,053 17,866
Percentage 59.32% 40.68%
Home Island Onotoa Kuria

Map of margin of victory by electoral district

President before election

Taneti Maamau
TKP

Elected President

Taneti Maamau
TKP

Campaign

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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

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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]

CandidatePartyVotes%
Taneti MaamauTobwaan Kiribati Party26,05359.32
Banuera BerinaBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party17,86640.68
Total43,919100.00
Valid votes43,91999.75
Invalid/blank votes1120.25
Total votes44,031100.00
Registered voters/turnout55,26879.67
Source: Ministry of Justice

By electoral district

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Vote share by electoral district
Electoral district Maamau Berina
Abaiang 1,372 1,030
Abemama 1,066 466
Aranuka 346 231
Arorae 71 420
Banaba 66 109
Beru 609 497
Betio 4,033 2,264
Butaritari 927 541
Kiritimati 1,706 1,473
Kuria 131 424
Maiana 95 849
Makin 404 483
Marakei 972 244
Nikunau 584 297
Nonouti 338 962
North Tarawa 1,846 1,006
Onotoa 811 20
Tabiteuea North 1,011 552
Tabiteuea South 465 201
Tabuaeran 168 621
Tamana 218 179
TUC 8,347 4,732
Teraina 4,65 265
Total 26,053 17,866

References

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  1. ^ "Two former allies to face off for Kiribati presidency". RNZ. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  2. ^ Kiribati's pro-China leader wins re-election in blow to Taiwan Reuters, 23 June 2020
  3. ^ Barrett, Jonathan; Blanchard, Ben (19 June 2020). "Fierce presidential election erupts in Pacific amid China-Taiwan tussle". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  4. ^ Pala, Christopher. "China Could Be in Reach of Hawaii After Monday's Election in Kiribati". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Kiribati President Taneti Maamau to be sworn in Wednesday". PINA. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  7. ^ 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.