Nauru parliament

After Kun was removed on October 25, two attempts were made to elect a replacement from two candidates - opposition MP David Adeang and the government's Rennier Gadabu.

On each occasion, the vote was nine-nine so Speaker Marcus Stephen, who does not get a vote in presidential elections, called for a third attempt to be held on Monday, October 30.

The new president will be the island's fourth leader in four years.

This means they are eligible to contest the general elections and hold parliamentary seats.

A statement said naturalised citizens or persons who have gained Nauruan citizenship after 30 January 1968 are not eligible.

The Bill focuses on four new criteria disqualifying a person from running for parliamentary office.

“Apart from the right to contest an election, all other rights that are enjoyed by every Nauruan will be enjoyed by you,” President Lionel Aingimea said in his speech presenting the Bill.

As an independent Parliament, it has moved away from Government authority meaning that the Speaker of Parliament has the power to make decisions and approve all Parliamentary requirements.

Previously, all Parliament requirements were approved by cabinet. Now as the Office of the Parliamentary Services it runs its own Human Resource and finances.

Currently it is still transitioning with support by UNDP. Its executive members now comprise only of the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker and the Clerk of Parliament.

At the sitting on 9 June President Baron Waqa presented the Electoral (Amendment) Bill No.2 2016 announcing a reduction in the nomination fee for election candidates from $2000 to $500.

The second amendment gives powers to the Electoral Commissioner to designate additional polling stations.

In presenting the bill President Waqa said the decrease in the fee “will provide an opportunity to open up the pool of potential election candidates, to ensure that the electoral process is transparent and accessible and to give every eligible voter in Nauru the opportunity to vote.”