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): 20 Nov 2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: 15 Nov 2027
Number of seats at stake: 33
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 55,167
Voters: 17,998
Voter turnout: 32.6%

Results

About the election: The 2023 general election resulted in a high turnover of MPs: 40% of the 33-member parliament changed hands. Prominent members of the outgoing legislature lost their seats, including several Cabinet ministers and the outgoing Speaker, Kenneth Kedi. Only 33% of some 55,000 registered voters turned out to vote (see note). Four women were elected (up from two in 2019).

On 2 January 2024, the newly elected parliament elected a seasoned MP, Mr. Brenson S. Wase (serving in parliament since 1984), as its new Speaker. Parliament also elected Ms. Hilda Heine as the new President of the Republic, replacing the outgoing President, David Kabua. Ms. Heine thereby became the first woman in the Marshall Islands to assume the presidency.

Note:

Nearly half the Marshall Islands population resides in the United States. The election commission reportedly sent out many of the absentee ballots to voters abroad less than one week before the deadline of 4 December. Some 1,400 of 3,700 postal ballots were returned before the deadline.

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 29
Number of women elected: 4
Percentage of women elected: 12.1%
Women Directly Elected: 4
Other notes on the elections: Note on the expected date of next elections:

A general election is held on the third Monday in November every four years.

Note on the date of the first session of the new parliament:

The first session is normally held on the first Monday of January following the election. Since that fell on 1 January 2024, which is a public holiday, the first session was exceptionally held on 2 January.
Sources: Parliament (14.12.2023, 05.01.2024)

https://www.facebook.com/rmielectoral

https://rmiparliament.org/

https://www.rnz.co.nz

marshallislandsjournal.com

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 29
Total number of women after the election: 4
Percentage of women after the election: 12.1%
First-term parliamentarians: No information available
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: No information available
Date of the first session: 02 Jan 2024

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Brenson S. Wase (Male)
Date of birth: 1952
Date of election: 02 Jan 2024