2013 Nauruan parliamentary election

Background

In February 2013 a constitutional crisis developed after two cabinet members resigned and a third was sacked by President Sprent Dabwido, leaving just two members in the cabinet, whilst the 18-member Parliament split into three factions. On 1 March Parliamentary Speaker Ludwig Scotty dissolved Parliament due to unruly behaviour by MPs, and elections were set for 6 April.

Former President Marcus Stephen, who was one of the cabinet members to leave in February threatened to bring a legal challenge against the dissolution, claiming it had been carried out in an unconstitutional manner as MPs had not been given the chance to challenge the dissolution. When Stephens and seven other MPs did take the matter to the Supreme Court, it ruled that the adjournment had been carried out unconstitutionally. However, a government spokesman claimed that the Court had no power to force Scotty to reconvene Parliament.

In mid-March the Supreme Court ruled that as the dissolution was null and void, the writ issued for elections in April was also null and void.

Speaker Scotty resigned on 18 April and was replaced by Godfrey Thoma on 25 April. Thoma announced on 16 May that Parliament would be dissolved a week from that date. Speaker Thoma dissolved Parliament on 23 May and set elections for 22 June. On 27 May 2013 President Dabwido declared a state of emergency and re-set the election for 8 June 2013.

Electoral system

MPs are elected in eight multi-members constituencies using the Dowdall system, a modified version of the Borda count. Voters rank candidates by preference, with the first preference given a score of 1, the second preference a score of , the third preference a score of and so on. Voters must rank all candidates on the ballot for it to be valid. The candidates with the highest scores win the seats in a constituency.

Until this election there had been 18 seats in Parliament with seven two-seat constituencies and one four-seat constituency, but following the June 2010 elections Parliament passed a bill to increase the number of seats to 19 to avoid 9–9 ties in the legislature. The extra member will be elected in the Meneng Constituency, which previously had two seats.

A record total of 68 candidates registered for the elections.

Results

By constituency

Presidential election

On 11 June the newly elected MPs elected the president, who was required by the constitution be a member of parliament. Baron Waqa defeated Roland Kun by 13 votes to five.

References

References

1. [http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/nauru-calls-emergency-for-early-elections/story-e6frea7l-1226651651171 Nauru calls emergency for early elections] Adelaid Now, 27 May 2013
2. [http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=101512501651301ec5f01d5da61ee4 Nauru awaits election date with parliament set to be dissolved] PINA, 1 March 2013
3. (11 March 2013). "Nauru parliament dissolved and election date announced". [[Radio New Zealand]].
4. (15 March 2013). "Supreme court orders cancellation of Nauru election". [[Radio New Zealand]].
5. [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/sitecore/content/news/news/national/2013/05/23/17/00/nauru-calls-june-22-election Nauru calls June 22 election] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-01-03 9 News, 23 May 2013)
6. "Baron Waqa named as new Nauru president - Yahoo!7".
7. [http://pidp.org/pireport/2013/February/02-21-18.htm Nauru MP Alleges Government Has Lost Mandate] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-02-03 Pacific Islands Report, 20 February 2013)
8. [https://archive.today/20130411155516/http://www.politicsabroad.com/news/elections/naurus-speaker-dissolves-parliament/ Nauru's Speaker dissolves parliament] Politics Abroad, 1 March 2013
9. (2 March 2013). "Nauru MP could bring legal challenge over parliamentary adjournment". [[Radio New Zealand]].
10. (6 March 2013). "Nauru court rules parliament illegally adjourned". [[Radio New Zealand]].
11. (7 March 2013). "Nauru parliament adjournment risks constitutional crisis". [[Radio New Zealand]].
12. (17 May 2013). "Nauru MPs fail to topple president". [[Radio New Zealand]].
13. [http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2064 Election Profile] IFES
14. [http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/nauru/nauru_brief.html Nauru country brief] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-10-06 Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
15. [http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/nauru/1413/president-dabwido-gives-it-another-go/ President Dabwido gives it another go] {{webarchive. link. (2013-09-26 Island Business, 6 June 2013)
16. link. (2013-10-27 RZNI, 7 June 2013)
17. (29 January 1968). "Constitution of Nauru".
18. (11 June 2013). "Nauru swears in new president".