Marshall Islands
Parliament
Election results
Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections
Background
Election date(s)
The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
18.11.2019
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
30.09.2019
Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
33
Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal
Candidates
The number of candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
2
Notes
Candidates are officially non-partisan and their party affiliation may change after the elections.
Voter turnout
Registration
Number of people registered to vote
47,133
Votes
Number of people who actually voted
17,834
Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
37.84%
Results
About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
Although candidates are officially non-partisan, many candidates joined either the Armij Mokta ("People First", led by President Hilda C. Heine) or the Aelon Kein Ad ("Our Island" – AKA, led by former President Christopher Loeak). Before the first session of the newly elected 33-member Parliament, held on 6 January 2020, the AKA gathered 20 members while Armij Mokta held 12 or 13 members. The newly elected Parliament re-elected Mr. Kenneth Kedi as its Speaker. Mr. David Kabua – son of the founding President Amata Kabua – was elected the new President of the Republic, defeating Ms. Heine.
The 2019 elections were the first to be held after Parliament had adopted Public Law 2016-028 in 2016, which rescinded the postal ballots that had been in place for four decades. Although the Supreme Court ruled the Public Law unconstitutional in October 2019 (see note), postal ballots were not used for the 2019 elections due to lack of time. The 2019 recorded a low turnout: only 38 per cent of the 47,000 registered voters turned out, down from 46 per cent recorded in 2015.
Note:
The Court ruled the law unconstitutional because it eliminated postal absentee ballot rights without offering an alternative option. An estimated 30,000 Marshallese live in the United States of America.
The 2019 elections were the first to be held after Parliament had adopted Public Law 2016-028 in 2016, which rescinded the postal ballots that had been in place for four decades. Although the Supreme Court ruled the Public Law unconstitutional in October 2019 (see note), postal ballots were not used for the 2019 elections due to lack of time. The 2019 recorded a low turnout: only 38 per cent of the 47,000 registered voters turned out, down from 46 per cent recorded in 2015.
Note:
The Court ruled the law unconstitutional because it eliminated postal absentee ballot rights without offering an alternative option. An estimated 30,000 Marshallese live in the United States of America.
Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
100%
Alternation of power after elections
The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Aelon Kein Ad ("Our Island" – AKA)
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
31
Number of women elected
2
Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
6.06%
Sources
Parliament (08.01.2020, 26.01.2020, 28.01.2020)
Radio New Zealand
pncguam.com
Radio New Zealand
pncguam.com
Women Directly Elected
2
New legislature
Total number of men after the election
The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
31
Total number of women after the election
The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
2
Date of the first session
The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
06.01.2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature
First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Kenneth
Kedi
(Male)
Date of election
06.01.2019