by Tusi Tala, Staff Writer
Preliminary election results in Kiribati indicate tight races for constituencies in and around the capital Tarawa, while the situation is different in the outer island electorates.
Radio Kiribati has reported that some incumbent politicians, such as President Taneti Maamau in Onotoa and opposition leader Tessie Eria Lambourne in Abemama, appear to be holding onto their seats based on interim results.
Six members of the previous parliament, including a cabinet minister, have reportedly been defeated in the election.
Eddie Karoua, an elected council official in Tarawa, stated in an interview with RNZ Pacific on Friday that most seats in the capital are likely headed to a runoff on Monday, as no candidates have surpassed the 50 percent threshold for a direct victory.
Karoua mentioned the completion of vote counting in the outer islands, contrasting it with the ongoing competition in Tarawa between opposing candidates.
The runoff round scheduled for Monday will see the top candidates in each electorate competing against each other to determine the winners.
This election halfway point in Kiribati suggests that new members of parliament could have a significant impact on the outcome.
The Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs has reported nearly 53,000 registered voters and 114 candidates running across 23 constituencies.
