| Riddel Akua ( M) |
| Frederick Cain ( M) |
Parliament House
NAURU ISLAND, Central Pacific
Tel.: (674) 444 33 81/ 82
Fax: (674) 444 31 99, 444 31 87
Cable: Parliament, Nauru
Telex: GOVNARU ZV 33081
In each constituency, the candidate who has received the largest number of first-preference votes is declared elected, if that number constitutes an absolute majority of those cast.
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections.
Voting is compulsory.
- Nauru citizenship
- residence in the country
- Nauru citizenship
- residence in the country
- ineligibility: insanity, undischarged bankruptcy, sentence of death or imprisonment for at least one year
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
Prior to the 2008 elections, the country was experiencing a financial crisis, with its debts approaching US$ 1 billion and public servants' salaries unpaid. Nauru's economy was expected to be further damaged by the closure of Australia's off-shore camp for asylum-seekers by the end of March 2008. Due to a stalemate in parliament, however, no decisions on the national budget or investment projects could be taken.
The country of 12,000 inhabitants had experienced political instability since October 2007, when a leaked report revealed allegations of corruption against the then Finance and Foreign Minister, Mr. David Adeang. On 5 November, three senior ministers resigned, accusing the then President, Ludwig Scotty, of not taking sufficient action over the scandal. In late November, eight parliamentarians defected from the government camp and in December, President Scotty was ousted by a no-confidence vote. Mr. Stephen, a former professional weightlifter, was sworn in as the new President, with the support of half of the 18-member parliament. Speaker Valdon Dowiyogo resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Riddel Akua.
On 17 March 2008, opposition members, led by former president Rene Harris, attempted to oust President Stephen through a no-confidence vote for what they termed as "lack of concern for pollution and dust generated by the processing and loading of phosphate", following public protests on this issue. Their move was hampered by the resignation of Speaker Akua. After three nominees turned down the position, on 20 March President Stephen appointed Mr. Adeang as the new Speaker of Parliament. It was widely believed that the decision was taken with a view to reducing the number of opposition votes in parliament, since the Speaker only votes in the event of a tie.
Mr. Adeang subsequently announced a parliamentary recess until after the Easter holidays. He argued that parliament should be dissolved with a view to new elections. During the Easter weekend, he convened a secret parliamentary session without pro-government members in order to amend the Citizenship Act. The amendments aimed at preventing members of parliament from holding dual citizenship. President Stephen holds dual citizenship (Nauru and Samoa), while Foreign Affairs Minister Kieren Keke and Commerce Minister Frederick Pitcher also hold Australian citizenship.
On 22 March, Speaker Adeang suspended Mr. Keke and Mr. Pitcher from parliament based on their dual citizenship. The government called for an urgent Supreme Court review, which overturned the decision on the grounds that the parliament had lacked the requisite quorum when it amended the Citizenship Act. On 11 April, Mr. Adeang suspended all nine pro-government members, including President Stephen, from parliament for what he termed as "unruly and shameful behaviour", including personal insults directed at him during his statement to the Supreme Court. President Stephen subsequently dissolved the parliament on 18 April, paving the way for fresh elections.
In all, 65 candidates, including three women, ran for the 2008 elections. The number of candidates was lower than the 79 in the 2007 elections, due mainly to the nomination period of only three days.
President Stephen urged voters to support the government, arguing that Speaker Adeang and his supporters were threatening investment in Nauru and blocking the advancement of important projects. He pledged to work for the good of the people of Nauru. Mr. Adeang criticized President Stephen for calling elections only eight days after parliament was dissolved. President Stephen insisted that the country needed a new parliament in order to pass the budget bill as soon as possible.
The Pacific Islands Forum monitored the polls. It declared that the electoral process was "credible" although it expressed concern over the "very short timeframe for the preparation and campaign" for the elections.
All nine pro-government members retained their seats. Former president Harris and two other opposition members lost theirs. The three members who were elected in lieu of these opposition members subsequently moved over to the government side. The government led by Mr. Stephen was thus returned with 12 out of the 18 seats.
The new parliament held its first session on 29 April and elected former Speaker Mr. Akua as its Speaker. Mr. Stephen was re-elected as the country's President.
| Round no 1 (26 April 2008): Election results | ||||
| Number of registered electors | 5'235 | |||
| Voters | 4'607 (88%) | |||
| Blank or invalid ballot papers | ||||
| Valid votes | ||||
| Round no 1: Distribution of votes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Candidates | Votes | % of votes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Round no 1: Distribution of seats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political Group | Total of seats | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Parliament (01.05.2008, 17.06.2008)
- Government Gazette, No. 46, 26 April 2008
- reasons for interruption of the term: removal by Parliament, resignation, death, dissolution of the Parliament
- election is held at the first meeting of the newly elected Parliament
- after Members are sworn in
- if no candidate receives the majority of total votesin the first round, candidates with the lowest number of votes are eliminated, and a new vote is held
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
- represents the Parliament with the public authorities
- represents the Parliament in international bodies
- is ex officio Chairman of other committees
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
- Member's allowance
+ entertainment allowance
- official residence
- official car
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Parliament
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Parliament according to precedents
- appoints the Clerk
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Parliament
- takes only part in casting votes
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- authenticates by his certificate all bills passed by the Parliament
Also available:
Archive of past election results for this chamber
General Information | Electoral System
Last Elections | Presidency of the Parliament | Parliamentary Mandate
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