# 2002 Kiribati parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Kiribati on 29 November 2002, with a second round on 8 December. The result was a victory for the new Pillars of Truth party, which won 17 of the 40 seats in the House of Assembly. Fourteen MPs, including seven cabinet ministers, lost their seats in the election.

## Campaign

A total of 176 candidates contested the election, with over half running under the banner of the ruling Protect the Maneaba party.
A bitter election campaign included opposition leader Harry Tong accusing the government of attempting to prevent him using the national coat of arms on his campaign material, which also claiming that Chinese government officials were attempting to bribe candidates. In response, the ruling party accused the opposition of siding with Taiwan.

## Results

| Party | Party | Seats | +/– |
| | Pillars of Truth | 17 | New |
| | Protect the Maneaba | 7 | –7 |
| | Independents | 16 | +1 |
| Total | Total | 40 | 0 |
| Source: Adam Carr, IPU ||||

### By constituency

| Constituency | Candidate | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| Abaiang | Emile Uri Shutz | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abaiang | Teatao Teannaki | [data missing] | [data missing] | 937 | 28.67 |
| Abaiang | Bauro Tongaai | [data missing] | [data missing] | 902 | 27.60 |
| Abaiang | Kautu Tenaaua | [data missing] | [data missing] | 822 | 25.15 |
| Abaiang | Uakerita Kanoanie | [data missing] | [data missing] | 607 | 18.57 |
| Abaiang | Nabura Nikuata | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abaiang | Rabeka T. Rikameta | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abaiang | Ratinta Moote | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abaiang | Nauto Tekai | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abaiang | Atanibora Tataua | [data missing] | [data missing] |
| Abemama | Natan Teewe | 661 | 31.09 |
| Abemama | Willie Tokataake | 607 | 28.55 | 527 | 47.74 |
| Abemama | Baitongo Taburimai | 416 | 19.57 | 266 | 24.09 |
| Abemama | Kabure Temariti | 266 | 12.51 | 311 | 28.17 |
| Abemama | Amwatia Maerietoa | 176 | 8.28 |
| Aranuka | Amberoti Nikora | 240 | 61.54 |
| Aranuka | Tekabang Ratintera | 150 | 38.46 |
| Arorae | Teima Onorio | 257 | 38.88 | 293 | 48.67 |
| Arorae | Itaea Riteri | 190 | 28.74 | 179 | 29.73 |
| Arorae | Uria Mataio | 109 | 16.49 | 130 | 21.59 |
| Arorae | Ruewita Iotin | 88 | 13.31 |
| Arorae | Tebwatoki Tawetia | 17 | 2.57 |
| Banaba | Timon A. Aneri | 82 | 50.62 |
| Banaba | Kakiaterara Bauretia | 30 | 18.52 |
| Banaba | Nenem Kourabi | 27 | 16.67 |
| Banaba | Aberaam Tewai | 23 | 14.20 |
| Beru | Tetabo Nakara | 595 | 33.02 |
| Beru | Kirabuke Teiaua | 230 | 12.76 | 325 | 32.66 |
| Beru | Biribo Neemia | 225 | 12.49 | 401 | 40.30 |
| Beru | Tewareka Borau | 208 | 11.54 | 269 | 27.04 |
| Beru | Tokintekai Uereti | 188 | 10.43 |
| Beru | Tiraim Aaram | 159 | 8.82 |
| Beru | Arobete Iuta | 155 | 8.60 |
| Beru | Katiotio Reirei | 22 | 1.22 |
| Beru | Rameka Barao | 20 | 1.11 |
| Betio (BTC) | Tamwi Naotarai | 1,879 | 24.43 | 2,247 | 31.18 |
| Betio (BTC) | Reete Bokai | 1,255 | 16.32 | 2,023 | 28.07 |
| Betio (BTC) | Teiraoi Tetabea | 1,044 | 13.58 | 1,416 | 19.65 |
| Betio (BTC) | Tonganibeia Taam | 800 | 10.40 | 1,521 | 21.10 |
| Betio (BTC) | Mere T Rivata | 610 | 7.93 |
| Betio (BTC) | Baikia Airam | 577 | 7.50 |
| Betio (BTC) | Harry Redfern | 369 | 4.80 |
| Betio (BTC) | Teaki Kanoanie | 336 | 4.37 |
| Betio (BTC) | Raoranti J Muller | 240 | 3.12 |
| Betio (BTC) | Ngutu Awira | 229 | 2.98 |
| Betio (BTC) | Atanimarewe Atintoa | 163 | 2.12 |
| Betio (BTC) | Kantara Baurerei | 117 | 1.52 |
| Betio (BTC) | Itinteang Tenano | 71 | 0.92 |
| Butaritari | Uera Rabaua | 745 | 27.85 |
| Butaritari | Tinian Relher | 511 | 19.10 | 635 | 44.34 |
| Butaritari | Tiim Taekiti | 499 | 18.65 | 377 | 26.33 |
| Butaritari | Toakai Koririntetaake | 494 | 18.47 | 420 | 29.33 |
| Butaritari | Alexander Teabo | 279 | 10.43 |
| Butaritari | Fenua Mareweia | 147 | 5.50 |
| Kiritimati | Taunga Smith | 618 | 17.94 | 951 | 28.46 |
| Kiritimati | Tawita Temoku | 489 | 14.20 | 929 | 27.80 |
| Kiritimati | Teambo Keariki | 462 | 13.41 | 652 | 19.51 |
| Kiritimati | Jacob Teem | 459 | 13.33 | 810 | 24.24 |
| Kiritimati | Itua Binataake | 346 | 10.05 |
| Kiritimati | Bunatao Arioka | 218 | 6.33 |
| Kiritimati | Tekinaiti Kaiteie | 146 | 4.24 |
| Kiritimati | Aneri Ari | 118 | 3.43 |
| Kiritimati | Rutio Bangao | 116 | 3.37 |
| Kiritimati | Rereao Tebau | 105 | 3.05 |
| Kiritimati | Temari Manoa | 87 | 2.53 |
| Kiritimati | Tiaon Noteabu | 75 | 2.18 |
| Kiritimati | Etekia Kunei | 74 | 2.15 |
| Kiritimati | Teoro Teatea | 37 | 1.07 |
| Kiritimati | Moiaua Toariri | 29 | 0.84 |
| Kiritimati | Kamatua Bukaireiti | 25 | 0.73 |
| Kiritimati | Martin M Boutu | 24 | 0.70 |
| Kiritimati | Uriam Williams | 16 | 0.46 |
| Kuria | Baraniko Moa | 233 | 44.21 | 235 | 37.01 |
| Kuria | Bakeua Tekita | 201 | 38.14 | 253 | 39.84 |
| Kuria | Karotu Teimarawa | 88 | 16.70 | 147 | 23.15 |
| Kuria | Nawaia Tekeea | 5 | 0.95 |
| Maiana | Anote Tong | 591 | 31.09 |
| Maiana | Rotite Uriam | 453 | 23.83 | 382 | 36.59 |
| Maiana | Moteti Kakoroa | 412 | 21.67 | 361 | 34.58 |
| Maiana | Teiwaki Areieta | 357 | 18.78 | 301 | 28.83 |
| Maiana | Tabia Kabaua | 88 | 4.63 |
| Makin | James Taom | 288 | 37.16 | 342 | 44.88 |
| Makin | Kouramaere Kautoa | 194 | 25.03 | 231 | 30.31 |
| Makin | Marouea Kamraratu | 140 | 18.06 | 189 | 24.80 |
| Makin | Kiatamoa Kaitara | 70 | 9.03 |
| Makin | Mwamwau Taake | 56 | 7.23 |
| Makin | Kauaba Ibutuna | 27 | 3.48 |
| Marakei | Temate Ereateti | 375 | 20.12 | 440 | 25.64 |
| Marakei | Rutiano Benetito | 353 | 18.94 | 484 | 28.21 |
| Marakei | Manraoi Kaiea | 315 | 16.90 | 391 | 22.79 |
| Marakei | Patrick J Tatireta | 313 | 16.79 | 401 | 23.37 |
| Marakei | Ataraoti Bwebwenibure | 275 | 14.75 |
| Marakei | Tam'atau Baraam | 128 | 6.87 |
| Marakei | Anetoka Babetara | 105 | 5.63 |
| Nikunau | Rimeta Beniamina | 477 | 34.44 |
| Nikunau | Teweia Awira | 217 | 15.67 | 308 | 39.19 |
| Nikunau | Ioane Tokintekai | 208 | 15.02 | 232 | 29.52 |
| Nikunau | Kaaneang Betero | 120 | 8.66 | 246 | 31.30 |
| Nikunau | Temaro Bamatoa | 101 | 7.29 |
| Nikunau | Mikaio Rorobuaka | 101 | 7.29 |
| Nikunau | Tewake Taniara | 77 | 5.56 |
| Nikunau | Tieon Kaeba | 60 | 4.33 |
| Nikunau | Timwa Teimakin | 24 | 1.73 |
| Nonouti | Ieremia Tabai | 592 | 31.67 |
| Nonouti | Waysang Kum Kee | 465 | 24.88 | 488 | 43.30 |
| Nonouti | Ata Etekia | 413 | 22.10 | 176 | 15.62 |
| Nonouti | Katua Tabunga | 170 | 9.10 | 463 | 41.08 |
| Nonouti | Kunei Etekiera | 120 | 6.42 |
| Nonouti | Bitamoana Bureneita | 92 | 4.92 |
| Nonouti | Teetu Teinai | 17 | 0.91 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Katotika Tekee | 915 | 30.21 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Bauro Tenano | 688 | 22.71 | 681 | 42.70 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Katarake Tebweao | 565 | 18.65 | 394 | 24.70 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa | 474 | 15.65 | 520 | 32.60 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Bwateriki Bwaree | 349 | 11.52 |
| North Tarawa (ETC) | Namwanoku Tekanene | 38 | 1.25 |
| Onotoa | Natanaera Kirata | 394 | 29.08 |
| Onotoa | Beta Tentoa | 355 | 26.20 | 343 | 45.67 |
| Onotoa | Nutea Williams | 247 | 18.23 | 259 | 34.49 |
| Onotoa | Riteti Eritama | 144 | 10.63 | 149 | 19.84 |
| Onotoa | Benati Nenebati | 108 | 7.97 |
| Onotoa | Katatia Tauteang | 107 | 7.90 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Harry Tong | 3,517 | 26.65 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Teburoro Tito | 3,279 | 24.85 | 3,426 | 31.08 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Roniti Teiwaki | 1,219 | 9.24 | 3,037 | 27.55 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Tabwea Teitiniman | 1,215 | 9.21 | 1,758 | 15.95 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Bweitu Nabau | 854 | 6.47 | 2,801 | 25.41 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Nauan Bauro | 748 | 5.67 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Tom Awira | 515 | 3.90 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Biara Teanoana | 342 | 2.59 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Tetika Teraku | 304 | 2.30 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Tekarei Russell | 297 | 2.25 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Abureti Takaio | 226 | 1.71 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Bwenawa Io | 209 | 1.58 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Mautaake Tannang | 182 | 1.38 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Paul Tatireta | 138 | 1.05 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Kaobunang Areieta | 102 | 0.77 |
| South Tarawa (TUC) | Burataea Kaibaki | 50 | 0.38 |
| Tabiteuea North | Taberannang Timeon | 878 | 34.72 |
| Tabiteuea North | Teaiwa Tenieu | 619 | 24.48 | 500 | 36.42 |
| Tabiteuea North | Martin Puta Tofinga | 578 | 22.85 | 700 | 50.98 |
| Tabiteuea North | Tetaua Taitai | 397 | 15.70 | 173 | 12.60 |
| Tabiteuea North | Tebaniman Tito | 57 | 2.25 |
| Tabiteuea South | Riino Nautonga | 219 | 43.98 | 245 | 49.60 |
| Tabiteuea South | Nantokana Meritera | 165 | 33.13 | 221 | 44.74 |
| Tabiteuea South | Tekaruru Teatau | 79 | 15.86 | 28 | 5.67 |
| Tabiteuea South | Karotu Teubwaitoi | 35 | 7.03 |
| Tabuaeran | Kokoria Rakoroa | 145 | 23.27 | 187 | 24.38 |
| Tabuaeran | Tiinia Mariano | 140 | 22.47 | 480 | 62.58 |
| Tabuaeran | Tiare Bauro | 101 | 16.21 | 100 | 13.04 |
| Tabuaeran | Bakatie | 100 | 16.05 |
| Tabuaeran | Rooti Teaotai | 65 | 10.43 |
| Tabuaeran | Tauiaong Chin Song | 36 | 5.78 |
| Tabuaeran | Taan | 28 | 4.49 |
| Tabuaeran | Vakariki Maiolonga | 8 | 1.28 |
| Tamana | Kabetite Mwetaka | 327 | 71.24 |
| Tamana | Tabuata Tibereta | 84 | 18.30 |
| Tamana | Toakauriri Autaene | 48 | 10.46 |
| Teraina | Tetaake Eria | 125 | 29.27 | 186 | 43.16 |
| Teraina | Raerang Teangauba | 88 | 20.61 | 130 | 30.16 |
| Teraina | Koureia Uereie | 81 | 18.97 | 115 | 26.68 |
| Teraina | Kantara Beiaun | 72 | 16.86 |
| Teraina | Kieni Kanitou | 18 | 4.22 |
| Teraina | Tuua Tebiria | 16 | 3.75 |
| Teraina | Ritiata E Matiare | 9 | 2.11 |
| Teraina | Taburimai Baabu | 7 | 1.64 |
| Teraina | Tuangeri Roubena | 7 | 1.64 |
| Teraina | Baiteke Terii | 4 | 0.94 |

## Aftermath

Following the election, three independents allied with the Pillars of Truth. The new MPs were sworn in on 9 January 2003.