Kiribati went to the polls in late August and in nine days, the final part of the electoral process will be completed with the president’s election.
The incumbent ruling party, the Tobwaan Kiribati Party (TKP), won the majority of seats, claiming the right to govern for another term.
Now the people will head to the polls again next week to elect a presidential candidate, but there’s concern the process is nothing more than a formality.
Sitting president Taneti Maamau looks all but certain to retain the top job, given his only competition is three candidates from his own party. The TKP’s parliamentary majority meant opposition parties were unable to nominate their own candidates and now there’s fear Kiribati is in danger of becoming a one-party state.