Marshall Islands general election, 2007
Encyclopedia
A general election was held in the Marshall Islands
on 19 November 2007.
Due to delays in opening the polling stations (while they were meant to open at 7 AM, some did not open until midday and one did not open before 4 PM) polling continued until after midnight. While only 36,000 people were eligible to vote, the large number of postal ballots meant that results were not to be known before 4 December.
Early results with 40% of the vote counted indicate a number of government party members may lose their seats, meaning it is possible that the opposition has won the election. On 30 November, the opposition Aelon Kein Ad declared victory, claiming it had already won 15 of the 17 seats necessary for a majority and that it expected to gain about 20 to 22 seats.
One of the election issues was whether to switch recognition from the Republic of China
to the People's Republic of China
, with the opposition in favour of recognising the PRC instead. However, Aelon Kein Ad stated on 28 November that they would not end ties with the ROC if they won the election.
The final vote count began on 4 December 2007. The opposition officially voiced their protest when the election website had not been updated by 8 December since the preliminary results were published on 27 November, questioning the legality of the recounting of votes from the outer islands, allegedly an attempt to change the results in four very close seats. The opposition party also claimed to have the necessary 17 senators to govern.
Final, unofficial results were released on 10 December; the candidates then had two weeks to file recount petitions and court challenges. As both the ruling United Democratic Party
and the opposition Aelon Kein Ad claim to have the 17 MPs required to form a government, and since two seats were decided by a single vote and two others by five votes, many recount petitions are expected to be filed.
Figures from 12 December indicated that President Kassai Note's United Democratic Party
had 14 seats while the opposition United People's Party (which forms part of the Aelon Kein Ad coalition), led by former speaker Litokwa Tomeing
, had 15 seats. Aelon Kein Ad continues to claim they have the 17 seats necessary to govern, and the election will likely be decided by the courts.
Both sides are now attempting to get independent MPs to join their party, with both sides about two or three seats short of a majority.
Recounts for Maloelap and Likiep were ordered for 3 January 2008, and voters from the US have appealed for their votes to be counted as well despite some problems with the required post stamp.
In early January 2008, the Republic of China
accused the People's Republic of China
of interfering in the post-election process in a bid to help the opposition; Taiwan claim's the PRC hopes to have the Marshall Islands switch recognition to the PRC if the opposition comes to power.
According to the results of the 2008 presidential election
and the results of the election of the speaker, the opposition (consisting of Aelon Kein Ad and the UPP) seems to have either 18 or 17 seats, as opposed to the former government's 15 or 16 seats.
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
on 19 November 2007.
Due to delays in opening the polling stations (while they were meant to open at 7 AM, some did not open until midday and one did not open before 4 PM) polling continued until after midnight. While only 36,000 people were eligible to vote, the large number of postal ballots meant that results were not to be known before 4 December.
Early results with 40% of the vote counted indicate a number of government party members may lose their seats, meaning it is possible that the opposition has won the election. On 30 November, the opposition Aelon Kein Ad declared victory, claiming it had already won 15 of the 17 seats necessary for a majority and that it expected to gain about 20 to 22 seats.
One of the election issues was whether to switch recognition from the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
to the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, with the opposition in favour of recognising the PRC instead. However, Aelon Kein Ad stated on 28 November that they would not end ties with the ROC if they won the election.
The final vote count began on 4 December 2007. The opposition officially voiced their protest when the election website had not been updated by 8 December since the preliminary results were published on 27 November, questioning the legality of the recounting of votes from the outer islands, allegedly an attempt to change the results in four very close seats. The opposition party also claimed to have the necessary 17 senators to govern.
Final, unofficial results were released on 10 December; the candidates then had two weeks to file recount petitions and court challenges. As both the ruling United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Marshall Islands)
The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Marshall Islands. At the last legislative elections, 17 November 2003, no parties participated, though part of the members could be members of either the Kabua Party or the United Democratic Party....
and the opposition Aelon Kein Ad claim to have the 17 MPs required to form a government, and since two seats were decided by a single vote and two others by five votes, many recount petitions are expected to be filed.
Figures from 12 December indicated that President Kassai Note's United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Marshall Islands)
The United Democratic Party is a political party in the Marshall Islands. At the last legislative elections, 17 November 2003, no parties participated, though part of the members could be members of either the Kabua Party or the United Democratic Party....
had 14 seats while the opposition United People's Party (which forms part of the Aelon Kein Ad coalition), led by former speaker Litokwa Tomeing
Litokwa Tomeing
Iroij Litokwa Tomeing was the President of the Marshall Islands from January 2008 until October 2009.-Early and personal life:Litokwa Tomeing was born on Wotje Atoll, in the Japanese administered Marshall Islands, on October 14, 1939...
, had 15 seats. Aelon Kein Ad continues to claim they have the 17 seats necessary to govern, and the election will likely be decided by the courts.
Both sides are now attempting to get independent MPs to join their party, with both sides about two or three seats short of a majority.
Recounts for Maloelap and Likiep were ordered for 3 January 2008, and voters from the US have appealed for their votes to be counted as well despite some problems with the required post stamp.
In early January 2008, the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
accused the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
of interfering in the post-election process in a bid to help the opposition; Taiwan claim's the PRC hopes to have the Marshall Islands switch recognition to the PRC if the opposition comes to power.
According to the results of the 2008 presidential election
Marshall Islands presidential election, 2008
An indirect presidential election was held in the Marshall Islands on 7 January 2008. The parliament elected in November 2007 elected a new president after it formally convened. The opposition coalition elected a new president, Litokwa Tomeing, with a vote of 18 to 15 in favour, beating the...
and the results of the election of the speaker, the opposition (consisting of Aelon Kein Ad and the UPP) seems to have either 18 or 17 seats, as opposed to the former government's 15 or 16 seats.