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