Three Kiribati MPS nominated for Presidency
New Speaker of the House, Honourable Teatao Teannaki was also sworn-in after winning the secret ballot.
Teatao Teannaki is a former President of Kiribati hailing from the Island of Abaiang and replaces former Speaker of the House – Taomati Iuta. Teannaki gained 26 votes while Iuta had 19.
As the new Speaker presided the House, presidential candidates were invited by the only two parties in the Kiribati Parliament.
From Boutokaan te Koaua (BTK) Party, who ruled as the party in power for the last three terms, announced two presidential candidates namely Rimeta Beniamina and Tianeti Ioane.
Beniamina is from the island of Nikunau and served in the Tong administration as Minister of Communication, Transport and Tourism Development. He was also co-Chair of the Climate Change Parliament Select Committee. Ioane from Aranuka Island is new in the political arena and has just retired from a senior Agricultural position within government.
From Tobwaan Kiribati – a coalition party, Taaneti Mamau was announced as their Presidential hopeful. Mamau who is from the Island of Onotoa, had been a strong Opposition leader in the past decade and was Secretary for Finance in the Tito government.
The Electoral Commission is yet to announce the dates for the nation-wide Presidential elections but unofficial reports suggests the elections might take place around 17 March.
The three Presidential candidates are expected to go ‘head-t-head’ this week in a public debate rally that will be broadcasted live on national radio. ThePresidential Debate is organized by the Kiribati Media Association (KMA).
SOURCE: KIRIBATI GOVT
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