Kiribati
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
a. Legislature (specify chamber)
Comments: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63: "(3) The (Electoral) Commission shall, at intervals of not more than 4 years, review the number of electoral districts, the boundaries of those districts, and the number of members of the Maneaba to be elected to represent each electoral district, taking account of- (a) the most recent census date for citizens of Kiribati, subject to the provisions of section 118 (4) of this Constitution; and (b) the movement of people within Kiribati. (4) Having conducted a review in accordance with the preceding subsection, the Commission shall make recommendations to the Maneaba. (5) The Maneaba may approve or reject the recommendations of the Commission under the preceding subsection but may not vary them; and, if so approved, the Chairman of the Commission shall thereupon by order under this Constitution make provision for the recommendations as have been so approved which shall have effect as from the date of the next dissolution of the Maneaba.
Source: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:15:59 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Betiota Tooki
b. Job Title: Chief Electoral Officer
c. Organisation: Government Ministry
d. Contact Address. Ministry of Internal and Social Affairs, Bairiki Tarana, Kiribati
e. Telephone: 00686 21117
f. Facsimile: 00686 21133
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
b. Optional referendum
c. Citizens' initiative
d. Agenda initiative
e. Recall
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Local Government Act 2005. Election Act 1979.
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
a. Constitutional
b. Specific laws/legislation
c. Regulations
Source: Constitution of Kiribati. Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD08 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for mandatory referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
a. Constitutional
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1979
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1979
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD15 Who is responsible for managing the administration of direct democracy mechanisms at the national level?
b. Independent electoral commission
c. President
d. Legislature
e. Other (specify who)
Comments: e) Judiciary
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD16 Does this agency/department also manage the administration of national elections?
a. Yes
Source: Election Act 1979
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
Comments: a) Island Councils
Source: Local Government Act 2005
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
l. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD30 Which issues, if any, maybe the subject of sub-national referendums regulated at the national level?
f. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
a. Government
d. Legislative majority
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD32 Who is responsible for drafting the mandatory referendum question?
a. Government (specify department)
d. Legislature
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD34 Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the mandatory referendum question?
e. Other (specify)
Comments: e) Motion in Parliament
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD36 Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for mandatory referendums?
b. Independent electoral commission
d. Legislature
Source: Constitution
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD40 What are the requirements for mandatory referendums to pass?
b. Qualified majority (specify % below)
Comments: b) two thirds of the electorate. Constitution, art. 69: (3) In so far as it alters Chapter II of this Constitution, an Act under this section shall not come into operation unless the provisions contained in the Act effecting that alteration have, in accordance with any law in that behalf, been submitted to a referendum in which all persons who are registered as electors for the purposes of a general election shall be entitled to vote and unless those provisions have been supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the persons entitled to vote in the referendum.
Source: Constitution, art. 69
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD42 In which areas, if any, do regulatory provisions differ between a referendum and a national election?
Tick all that apply and specify below in the comments section.
g. None
Source: Constitution, art. 69
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD49 Who may propose the registration of a citizens' initiative?
Please specify in the “Comments” section below.
d. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD51 What material is necessary to accompany an application for registration?
e. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD55 Which services are provided by the agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms before an initiative can be published?
f. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD57 If a check of the constitutionality or legality of an initiative takes place, who is responsible for undertaking it?
a. Government
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD59 Which institutions, if any, are given an opportunity to propose an alternative to proposals contained in a citizens’ initiative?
g. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD60 At which stage in the initiative process, if at all, can alternative proposals be made?
e. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD61 What happens when there is a valid alternative proposal?
e. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD62 When an initiative proposal and an alternative proposal are put to the vote on the same day, what choices does the voter have?
f. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD63 Who decides the final ballot text?
f. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD64 Once an initiative is qualified for the ballot, the vote on it takes place:
d. Not applicable
Source: Betiota Tooki, Chief Electoral Officer, Government Ministry
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:24:01 UTC
DD65 Which of the following individuals/positions may be subject to the recall mechanism?
a. Members of the national legislature
Comments: Constitution, art. 59: 59. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsections (6) and (7) of this section. if the Speaker receives a petition calling for the removal of an elected member of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu signed by a majority of the persons who were registered as electors, at the time of the last election of that member, in the electoral district from which that member was last elected, he shall send the petition forthwith to the Electoral Commission. (2) The Electoral Commission shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of a petition under the preceding subsection, conduct a referendum to determine whether the member named in the petition should vacate his seat in the Maneaba. (3) No person shall be entitled to vote in a referendum under this section unless he was registered as an elector, at the time of the last election of the member named in the petition, in the electoral district from which that member was last elected. (4) If in a referendum under this section a majority of those entitled to vote in that referendum vote for the removal from the Maneaba of the member named in the petition, that member shall vacate his seat in the Maneaba forthwith. (5) Where a member vacates his seat in the Maneaba under the preceding subsection, a by-election shall be held within 3 months (unless the Maneaba is sooner dissolved) to fill that seat in the Maneaba. (6) No action shall be taken on a petition delivered to the Speaker under this section until the expiration of 6 months following- (a) the last occasion on which the member named in the petition was elected to the Maneaba; or (b) the date of any referendum held under this section which determined that the member named in the petition was not required to vacate his seat in the Maneaba under subsection (4) of this section. (7) This section shall not apply to a member of the Maneaba during any period when he is holding or acting in the office of Beretitenti, Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti or any other Minister, or Attorney-General.
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
a. A member of the legislature cannot be recalled until the expiration of 6 months following: 1) the last occasion on which the member was elected or 2) a referendum held on the recall of the same member and that the referendum did not result in a recall.
Comments: Constitution, art. 59: (6) No action shall be taken on a petition delivered to the Speaker under this section until the expiration of 6 months following- (a) the last occasion on which the member named in the petition was elected to the Maneaba; or (b) the date of any referendum held under this section which determined that the member named in the petition was not required to vacate his seat in the Maneaba under subsection (4) of this section.
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD68 If a recall qualifies for the ballot, when is it put to the vote?
c. Other (specify)
Comments: Constitution, art. 59: (2) The Electoral Commission shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of a petition under the preceding subsection, conduct a referendum to determine whether the member named in the petition should vacate his seat in the Maneaba.
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD69 When does the election to replace an individual who has been recalled take place?
b. Separately and subsequently
Comments: b) Within three months after the member of the legislature has vacated the seat. Constitution, art. 59: (5) Where a member vacates his seat in the Maneaba under the preceding subsection, a by-election shall be held within 3 months (unless the Maneaba is sooner dissolved) to fill that seat in the Maneaba.
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
a. Within three months after the member of the legislature has vacated the seat.
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:29:00 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-01-08 19:06:07 UTC
DD84 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
b. Proportion of the electorate X (more than 50% of the registered electors in the constituency in which the member was elected)
Comments: b) More than 50% of the registered electors in the constituency in which the member was elected
Source: Constitution, art. 59
Last updated: 2007-01-09 07:54:04 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Electoral Commission
Last updated: 2007-02-22 08:59:47 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
Comments: a) Legislative and presidential elections and referendums.
Source: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:01:00 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
a. The President
Source: International IDEA research, February 2007
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:53:08 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years
Comments: b) For a term of five years.
Source: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63
Last updated: 2007-02-22 08:59:47 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:53:08 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2007-02-13 14:53:08 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
h. Not applicable
Comments: There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-01-17 10:48:04 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
Comments: a) Support of three electors
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-12 15:25:43 UTC
PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable
Comments: Unicameral parliament
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-12 15:25:43 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
j. Other
Comments: a) 21 years j) Qualified electors
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-12 15:25:43 UTC
PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
n. Holding of other public offices (police etc.)
o. Other
Comments: n) Public office and civil service o) election-related employment
Source: IPU Parline Database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-01-12 15:25:43 UTC
PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
a. No
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-11-15 13:17:02 UTC
PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
f. Not applicable
Comments: There is no public funding of political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2006-11-15 13:17:02 UTC
Vote Counting
VC01 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties listed)
e. Ability to vote for candidates within parties (personal vote)
Comments: a.) The ballot paper is marked depending on how many seats to be filled.
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 13:55:38 UTC
Voting Operations
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 15:06:35 UTC
VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 15:06:48 UTC
VO06 Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
a. No
Source: Pacific Election Administration Compared: Andrew Ellis (International IDEA)and Alistair Legge (PIANZEA), 2005.
Last updated: 2005-08-12 15:05:04 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18
Comments: 18 years
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:17:34 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
e. Other
Comments: e) Regular residence in electoral district (of vote)
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:17:34 UTC
VR03 What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
a. Criminal Incarceration
d. Mental disability
h. Other
Comments: a) Imprisonment of at least one year. Unclear whether it is ongoing imprisonment or if it is enough that a person has been convicted earlier. h) Electoral fraud.
Source: IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2169.htm
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:17:34 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63: "63. (1) The Electoral Commission shall have general responsibility for, and shall supervise, the registration of electors for the election of members of the Maneaba ni Maungatabu and the conduct of elections of such members and of referenda under this Constitution, and the Commission shall have such other functions relating to such registration, elections and referenda as may be prescribed."
Source: Constitution of Kiribati, art. 63:
Last updated: 2007-02-22 09:17:34 UTC
20/05/2008 07:19
