IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> MARSHALL ISLANDS (Nitijela)
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Nitijela (Parliament)
ELECTIONS IN 2011

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module

A historical Archive of past election results for this chamber can be found on a separate page

Parliament name (generic / translated) Nitijela / Parliament
Structure of parliament Unicameral
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 21 November 2011
Purpose of elections Elections were held for all the seats of the Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office.
At stake in the November 2011 elections were 33 seats in parliament (Nitijela).

In the previous elections held in November 2007, the then opposition Aelon Kein Ad ("Our Island" - AKA) party took 18 seats, three more than the United Democratic Party (UDP) of the then President Kessai Note. In 2000, President Note had become the first commoner to be elected President. All previous presidents had been traditional chiefs. In January 2008, parliament elected Mr. Litokwa Tomeing - a traditional chief who had defected from the UDP to the AKA shortly before the 2007 elections - as the country's new President. Mr. Jurelang Zedkaia (AKA) was elected Speaker.

In February 2009, President Tomeing dismissed the Foreign Minister. Parliamentarians close to the Foreign Minister failed twice in their attempt to have parliament pass a vote of no-confidence against the President. In November, however, President Tomeing was ousted by a vote of no-confidence, the first such case since independence from the United States in 1979. Speaker Zedkaia (AKA) was elected President, ahead of former President Note. Mr. Alvin T. Jacklick became the new Speaker.

Prior to the dissolution of Parliament in 2011, supporters of President Zedkaia controlled 17 seats. They formed a new party, Kien Eo Am ("Your Government" - KEA). The KEA, which included the President, Speaker Jacklick as well as former President Tomeing, was challenged by Mr. Michael Kabua's AKA.

In all, 96 candidates, including seven women, were vying for 32 seats, with one outgoing member being re-elected unopposed.

Although traditional chiefs had usually united at the parliamentary elections in preparation for the indirect presidential elections, in 2011, President Zedkaia (KEA) was also challenged by other traditional leaders.

The latter represent voters in Kwajalein Atoll, which hosts the US Army's Reagan Test Site. As part of the Compact of Free Association (a treaty with the US), Marshall Islanders have unrestricted access to live, work and study in the United States. About 13,000 currently live in the US. Shortly before the 2011 elections, the US Government announced its intention to regulate Marshall Islanders' migration privileges. Outgoing parliamentarian and Foreign Minister John Silk (KEA) pledged to defend the islanders' rights and privileges under the Compact.

In lieu of traditional face-to-face campaigning, many candidates used Facebook and Skype in 2011 in an attempt to reach out to voters living in the United States. The Marshall Islands Ambassador to the United Nations, Phillip Muller (AKA), who was vying for one of the five seats in Majuro, said that fewer candidates went to the US 2011 because of the increase in Internet campaigning and the cost of travel.

Turnout was reportedly low among the 36,000 registered voters.

The official results published on 9 December did not give a clear majority to either side. Independent candidates subsequently joined the AKA, which controlled around 20 seats. President Zedkaia (KEA), Speaker Jacklick (KEA), former President Tomeing (KEA), AKA leader Kabua and Ambassador Muller (AKA) were all re-elected. Only one woman was elected.

On 3 January 2012, the newly elected parliament held its first session and elected Mr. Christopher J. Loeak (AKA) as the country's new President. It elected Donald F. Capelle (AKA) as its new Speaker.
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Distribution of votes
Distribution of seats
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men
Women
Percent of women
32
1
3.03%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Source: Parliament (27.12.2011)

Copyright 1996-2013 Inter-Parliamentary Union