There's been strong voter turnout and a mixed bag of results for the sitting MPS in preliminary counts for the Kiribati national elections.
Voters check in before heading to the booths to their right at the Tangintebu Theological College Maneaba Photo: L.Uan
Fisheries minister Tetabo Nakara, Justice Minister Natan Teewe and Internal Affairs Minister Kobebe Taitai have lost their seats and other senior politicians may join them as they head into the second round of voting next week.
Amongst those who won majority votes in the first round are the longest serving woman in Kiribati politics, Teima Onorio, and newcomer Tessie Lambourne, the former Kiribati ambassador to Taiwan.
Caretaker leader Taneti Maamau enjoyed a comfortable win in his electorate, as did the first president of Kiribati and long time MP, Ieremia Tabai.
Attendance at the polls had reportedly been high despite strong public health campaigning on Covid-19 in a country where voting was not compulsory.
Taneti Maamau Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koro Vaka'uta