Voters in Kiribati are going to the polls today to choose their fifth president since the country became independent in 1979.
On densely populated Betio islet, which has three polling stations, people began crowding the station as early at 7am.
The candidates include two from the BTK party, Rimeta Beniamina and Tianeti Ioane, while Taaneti Mamau is the nominee of a coalition that formed among the former opposition.
The polling stations are due to close at 6pm with counting to begin immediately after.
Kiribati parliament Photo: RNZ