At the Electoral Administration command table Saturday in Majuro working on finalizing all election results, from right: Deputy Election Commissioner Daniel Andrew, election staff Rantly Kattil, Jr. and Bemy Brian, and Chief Electoral Officer Benjamin Kiluwe. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Photo: Hilary Hosia
Unofficial election results from the Marshall Islands show that the balance of power has shifted from President Hilda Heine's government to the Opposition.
The Opposition now appears to have an outright majority of 17, and possibly more as the country awaits the announcement of complete unofficial vote tabulation results.
By law, there is a two-week period after the announcement to allow candidates to file petitions for recounts or contest the results.
With 95 percent of votes reflected in unofficial results released on Saturday, President Heine's ruling group has lost five seats - two in Majuro, one in Kwajalein, and two on remote outer atolls.
Aur Atoll voters returned Hilda Heine for a third term in Parliament.
No president since Kessai Note, who served from 2000-2008, has achieved a second four-year term in office.
Parliament will convene on 6 January to elect a president, speaker and vice speaker.