NAURU

ELECTIONS IN 2007

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Chamber:

Parliament

Dates of election / renewal (from/to):

25 August 2007

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament two months before the normal expiry of the members' term of office. General elections had previously been held in October 2004.

Background and outcome of elections:

On 1 August 2007, President Ludwig Scotty dissolved the 18-member parliament and called a snap election for 25 August, two months ahead of the official due date. The 2007 parliamentary elections followed a heated debate on proposals to amend the constitution.

President Scotty was re-elected in October 2004 on a pledge to reform the government's financial practices. He established an independent constitutional review committee that drew up several proposals for reform, including the creation of an independent audit office, direct election of the President (instead of nomination by parliament) and appointment of the Speaker from outside of the parliament to ensure that the person holding that office would not have ties to the government or opposition.

President Scotty supported the proposals, saying they would allow more rigorous financial control and reduce political instability (Nauru has had 17 governments over the past 14 years). However, the proposed amendments divided public opinion. Some argued that the proposed changes were too radical, while others considered them insufficient.

President Scotty subsequently called elections, arguing that he needed public support to continue his reforms. Opponents of the reforms criticized the snap polls, considering that the President was trying to draw attention away from the public backlash over the reform.

Although there are no official political parties in Nauru, the government camp reportedly controlled 16 of the 18 seats when parliament was dissolved in August. Only two were held by "opposition" members: the former president, Mr. René Harris, who led four governments between 1999 and 2004, and Mr. Terangi Adam.

A total of 74 candidates, including six women, were vying for the 18 seats at stake. Approximately 7,000 citizens registered to vote.

The Pacific Islands Forum election observers concluded that the elections were "credible", although they noted some cases of vote-buying. It recommended that the country pass laws on transparency in election campaign funding.

Fifteen members were re-elected, of whom 14 were supporters of President Scotty's Government.

The newly-elected parliament held its first session on 28 August. It re-elected Mr. Valdon Dowiyogo as its Speaker. It also re-elected Mr. Scotty as the country's President. He subsequently named an unchanged six-member cabinet.

In October, a leaked confidential report revealed allegations of corruption against the Finance and Foreign Minister, Mr. David Adeang. On 5 November, three senior ministers (see note 1) resigned, accusing President Scotty of not taking sufficient action over the scandal. In late November, the Chairman of the constitutional review committee, Mr. Batsiua, defected from the government camp along with seven other parliamentarians.

On 19 December, Mr. Scotty was ousted in a no confidence vote in parliament by 10 to seven votes (one member was absent). Mr. Marcus Stephen, a former professional weightlifter, was sworn in as new President on the same day, and subsequently formed a new six member cabinet (see note 2). Speaker Dowiyogo resigned and was succeeded by Mr. Riddel Akua.

Note 1
Health Minister Kieren Keke, Resources and Rehabilitation Minister Frederick Pitcher and Justice Minister Roland Kun.

Note 2
The new cabinet consists of President Stephen, Mr. Kieren Keke, Mr. Fabian Ribauw, Mr. Mathew Batsiua, Mr. Frederick Pitcher and Mr. Roland Kun.

STATISTICS


Round no 1 (25 August 2007): Election results
Number of registered electors		7'000
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes



Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group

Total

Comments:

Distribution of seats according to political group: Not applicable. There are no political parties in Nauru.
Parliament (07.02.2008, 14.02.2008)

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men:

Women:

Percent of women:

0.00

Distribution of seats according to age:

Distribution of seats according to profession:

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