Marshall Islands

Parliament

Political system: Presidential system
Structure of parliament: Unicameral
IPU membership: Yes

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): 16 Nov 2015
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 30 Nov 2015
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake: 33
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: 2

Notes: Candidates are officially non-partisan and their party affiliation may change after the elections.
Total number of candidates: 98
Number of male candidates: 93
Number of female candidates: 5
Percentage of women candidates: 5.1%

Results

About the election: The 2015 elections saw half of the members of the government and many senior figures of the ruling Aelon Kein Ad party ("Our Island" - AKA) lose their parliamentary seats. Although candidates are officially non-partisan and their party affiliation may change after the elections, many of them belong either to the AKA or Kien Eo Am ("Your Government" - KEA). The KEA was established in 2011 by former AKA members, supporting the then President Jurelang Zedkai who passed away in October 2015. Following the 2015 elections, the KEA, now led by Mr. Alvin Jacklick, reportedly controlled 23 seats in the 33-member Parliament.

The high turnover in 2015 resulted in the election of younger candidates. Mr. Sherwood Tibon (KEA) scored the highest number of votes in the capital Majuro, campaigning as the "voice of youth". A record three women were elected in 2015, up from one in previous legislatures.

Prior to the first session, the KEA and newly-elected independent members as well as some former AKA members formed the "Solid 8" coalition.

On 4 January 2016, the newly-elected parliament held its first session and elected Mr. Kenneth Kedi (Solid 8) as its new Speaker. A first-time member, Mr. Casten Nemra (AKA), was elected as the country's President by a one-vote margin against the former Speaker Alvin Jacklick (Solid 8).

On 25 January, however, parliament adopted a vote of no-confidence against the new President, giving him the shortest term in office in the country's history. On 27 January, Ms. Hilda C. Heine (Solid 8) was elected as the new President, thereby becoming the first woman to assume the post.
Alternation of power after elections: Yes
Number of parties in government: 1
Names of parties in government: Names of parties in government: "Solid 8" coalition, comprising the Kien Eo Am ("Your Government" - KEA), independent members and some former members of the Aelon Kein Ad ("Our Island" - AKA)

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 30
Number of women elected: 3
Percentage of women elected: 9.1%
Women Directly Elected: 3
Other notes on the elections: Date of the first session of the new parliament: 4 January 2016, the first Monday in January.
Sources: Parliament (04.01.2016, 27.01.2016, 30.01.2016, 02.02.2016)

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 30
Total number of women after the election: 3
Percentage of women after the election: 9.1%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 04 Jan 2016

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Kenneth Kedi (Male)
Date of birth: 1971
Date of election: 04 Jan 2016