1971 Gilbert and Ellice Islands general election

General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 19 March 1971.[1][2]

## Background

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Prior to the elections constitutional changes saw the House of Representatives replaced with a 33-member Legislative Council consisting of 28 elected members, three ex officio members (the Assistant to the Resident Commissioner, the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary)[3] and two civil servants.[4]

## Campaign

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A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.[5] Of the 23 incumbent members, only 13 ran for re-election.[3]

## Results

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Only five of the 23 incumbent MPs were re-elected, with eight of them losing their seat.[3] Tekarei Russell became the first female member of the legislature.[3] Director of Agriculture Ray Harberd and Director of Education Harry Urquhart were appointed as the two nominated official members.[3]

Constituency  | Elected member

|

Abemama | Bauro Tokatake
Beru | Otiuea Tanentoa
Funafuti | Benjamin Kofe
Kuria | Paul Binatake Tokatake
Maiana | Bwebwetake Areieta
Makin | Ibeata Tonganieia
Marakei | Naboua Ratieta
Nanumea | Telavi Fati
Niutao | Tomu Sione
Nui | Sione Tui Kleis
Nukulaelae | Isa Paeniu
South Tabiteuea | Bureua Kamaoto
Urban Tarawa | Tekarei Russell
Reuben Uatioa
Source: PIM, PIM, PIM, PIM

## Aftermath

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The new Legislative Council met for the first time on 14 April.[3] Reuben Uatioa was elected Leader of Government Business.[5] An Executive Council was subsequently appointed by Resident Commissioner John Osbaldiston Field after consultation with Uatioa.[3]

Executive Council

Position  | Member
Leader of Government Business | Reuben Uatioa
Member for Communications and Lands | Naboua Ratieta
Member for Internal Affairs | Otiuea Tanentoa
Member for Natural Resources | Isa Paeniu
Member for Social Services | Bwebwetake Areieta

## References

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1. ^ "Gilbert, Ellice To The Polls Under A Blazing Noonday Sun". 42(4) Pacific Islands Monthly. 1 April 1971. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
2. ^ Barrie Macdonald (1971) Policy and practice in an atoll territory: British rule in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, 1892 – 1970
3. ^ a b c d e f g New-look Gilbert and Ellice politics may spark ailing public interest Pacific Islands Monthly, May 1971, p24
4. ^ Howard Van Trease (1993) Atoll Politics: The Republic of Kiribati, p8
5. ^ a b Decolonization United Nations, July 1979

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* See also: List of by-elections

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