Nauruan parliamentary election, 1966

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Nauru
  • Politics portal

Elections for the Legislative Council were held in Nauru for the first time on 25 January 1966.[1]

Background

Nauru had been under Australian administration since World War II. In 1962 the United Nations General Assembly voted by 80 –0 that the island should be granted independence.[2] The United Nations Trusteeship Council subsequently requested that the Australian government set up a Legislative Council.[3] On 9 December 1965 the Australian Parliament debated a bill to establish a Council, which was passed as the Nauru Act 1965.

Electoral system

The electoral system remained the same as for the Local Government Council; the fourteen districts of Nauru were grouped into eight constituencies. Seven constituencies elected one member, whilst one elected two.[4] A total of 24 candidates stood for the nine seats.[1]

Results

Hammer DeRoburt (Boe constituency) and Roy Degoregore (Anetan and Ewa) were both elected unopposed.[5] All elected candidates had previously been members of the Local Government Council at some point.[5]

Constituency Elected members
AiwoSamuel Edwin Tsitsi
Anabar, Ijuw and AnibareAgoko James Doguape
Anetan and EwaRoy Degoregore
BoeHammer DeRoburt
BuadaAustin Bernicke
Denigomodu, Nibok, Uaboe and BaitiI. Victor Eoaeo, Robidok Buraro Bagewa Detudamo
MenengJames Ategan Bop
YarenJoseph Detsimea Audoa
Source: Viviani

Aftermath

The new Legislative Council opened on 31 January 1966, which marked the twentieth anniversary of the return to Nauru of survivors of the World War II deportation of islanders during the Japanese occupation.[5] Hammer DeRoburt was re-elected as Head Chief by the Council after the elections.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Nancy Viviani (1970) Nauru: Phosphate and Political Progress Australian National University Press, p154
  2. Viviani, p150
  3. Viviani, p151
  4. Viviani, p105
  5. 1 2 3 4 Viviani, p155
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, April 17, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.