In the 2002 parliamentary elections, held on 29 November and 6 December, 17 Boutokaan Te Koaua (BTK) candidates were successful while President Teburoro Tito’s Maneaban Te Mauri (MTM) won only 16 seats, and seven seats were taken by independents. Teburoro Tito then narrowly won the presidential poll in February 2003, defeating his principal rival, Taberannang Timeon, by some 550 votes. Less than a month into his third (and necessarily final) term, President Tito lost a no-confidence vote and fresh elections were called. In the parliamentary elections in May 2003, MTM took 24 of the 40 elected seats and the BTK 16, the independents having joined parties. However, in the close presidential poll, in July 2003, Anote Tong of the BTK defeated the MTM’s candidate, his younger brother Harry Tong, and formed a new government. Parliamentary elections were held on 22 and 30 August 2007. Independent candidates won in 19 of the 44 seats available in the two-round contest. BTK was the leading political party taking 18 seats, and MTM seven. In the October 2007 presidential elections, Anote Tong – with 15,500 votes and 65 per cent of votes – was well ahead of his principal opponent, Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa (33 per cent). Following the election of a new parliament in October/November 2011 – when President Tong’s BTK won 15 seats, the Karikirakean Tei-Kiribati (KTK) ten, and the Maurin Kiribati Party (MKP) three; and 30 of the 44 members were re-elected – the new legislature nominated three candidates to contest the presidential elections. The presidential elections, held in January 2012, were won by the incumbent, Anote Tong of the BTK (42 per cent), defeating Tetaua Taitai of the KTK (35 per cent) and opposition leader Rimeta Beniamina of the MKP (23 per cent). Local government Ministry: Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs Local government is provided for by the Local Government Act 1984 (amended 2006), and it is enshrined in the constitution. The Minister of Internal and Social Affairs is responsible for local government, which comprises 23 island councils and three town councils. Local elections are held every four years. The local authorities have revenue-raising powers, as well as receiving transfers from national government; for the island K i r i b a t i councils these transfers constitute a higher proportion of total revenue than for urban councils. The councils are generally responsible for such services as primary health care; public sanitation; water supply; early years’ schooling; and local transport. National development plan The Kiribati Development Plan 2012–15 was based on a review of previous plans and extensive consultations with all the key stakeholders. Social protection and gender equity are important guiding principles of the plan. Government programmes are now required to foster gender empowerment, emphasising children, family, and women’s and men’s rights. This plan has been prepared with a results-based methodology. Measurable outcomes have been identified and these are also being used in sectoral plans, and are being mapped onto regional and international commitments. The reporting of results has been improved. Policy The key objectives for 2011–15, in five key policy areas, are: • Improvement in functional literacy and numeracy, and professional and technical skills development • Promotion of structural and fiscal reforms under the Kiribati Economic Reform Priorities Programme, with the support of AusAid and World Bank • Increasing access to quality health services; promotion of health awareness • Facilitating sustainable development to mitigate the effects of climate change, protect island biodiversity and reduce environmental degradation • Strengthening national governance systems, promoting accountability, transparency, equality and inclusiveness Governance Improving the financial management and auditing of public-sector organisations, including state-owned enterprises and urban and island councils, was established as a strong priority in the 2008–11 development plan and the Audit Office has been strengthened as a result. Community policing has been improved in many villages, with the development of standard procedures for reporting crimes in public-service organisations, including schools and NGOs, and the establishment of domestic violence desks in four South Tarawa police stations. Reporting rates for gender-based violence have increased. Further information Kiribati National Tourism Organisation: www.kiribatitourism.gov.ki Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org Commonwealth Governance: www.commonwealthgovernance.org Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 191 Governance institutions Maneaba ni Maungatabu: www.parliament.gov.ki Office of the Attorney-General: www.legal.gov.ki Ministry of Finance and Economic Development: www.mfed.gov.ki Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives: www.mcic.gov.ki
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