2020 Kiribati presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 22 June 2020,^[1] following parliamentary elections in April. Incumbent President Taneti Maamau of the Tobwaan Kiribati Party was re-elected with 59% of the vote.^[2]

2020 Kiribati presidential election

← 2016 22 June 2020 2024 →
Turnout	79.67%
Candidate Taneti Maamau Banuera Berina Party TKP BKM Popular vote 26,053 17,866 Percentage 59.32% 40.68% Home Island Onotoa Kuria
Map of margin of victory by electoral district
President before election Taneti Maamau TKP Elected President Taneti Maamau TKP

Campaign

Relations with China and Taiwan was the main issue during the elections, with Maamau having switched Kiribati's recognition to China from Taiwan, while Berina seen as more sympathetic toward Taiwan.^[3] The elections were seen by many as a critical test for the Chinese Communist Party's expansionist foreign policy.^[4][5]

Results

The results were declared on 23 June 2020 by Chief Justice John Muria at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in South Tarawa. Maamau won the election with 59% of the vote, receiving a majority in 16 of the 23 constituencies, while Berina finished first in seven constituencies.^[6][7]

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Taneti Maamau	Tobwaan Kiribati Party	26,053	59.32
	Banuera Berina	Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party	17,866	40.68
Total			43,919	100.00
Valid votes			43,919	99.75
Invalid/blank votes			112	0.25
Total votes			44,031	100.00
Registered voters/turnout			55,268	79.67
Source: Ministry of Justice

By electoral district

Vote share by electoral district

Electoral district	Maamau	Berina
Abaiang	1,372	1,030
Abemama	1,066	466
Aranuka	346	231
Arorae	71	420
Banaba	66	109
Beru	609	497
Betio	4,033	2,264
Butaritari	927	541
Kiritimati	1,706	1,473
Kuria	131	424
Maiana	95	849
Makin	404	483
Marakei	972	244
Nikunau	584	297
Nonouti	338	962
North Tarawa	1,846	1,006
Onotoa	811	20
Tabiteuea North	1,011	552
Tabiteuea South	465	201
Tabuaeran	168	621
Tamana	218	179
TUC	8,347	4,732
Teraina	4,65	265
Total	26,053	17,866

References

1. "Two former allies to face off for Kiribati presidency". RNZ. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
2. Kiribati's pro-China leader wins re-election in blow to Taiwan Reuters, 23 June 2020
3. Barrett, Jonathan; Blanchard, Ben (19 June 2020). "Fierce presidential election erupts in Pacific amid China-Taiwan tussle". Reuters. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
4. Pala, Christopher. "China Could Be in Reach of Hawaii After Monday's Election in Kiribati". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
5. Smith, Nicola (22 June 2020). "Chinese expansion across Pacific faces key test in Kiribati election with island just 1,300m south of Hawaii". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
6. "Kiribati President Taneti Maamau to be sworn in Wednesday". PINA. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
7. Pala, Christopher (23 June 2020). "Boost for Beijing: pro-China president wins re-election in Kiribati". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 June 2020.