ese

Literacy: NA

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati
conventional short form: Kiribati
note: pronounced kiribas
former: Gilbert Islands

Data code: KR

Type of government: republic

Capital: Tarawa

Administrative divisions: 3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands,
Phoenix Islands
note: in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts,
Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21
island councils (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru,
Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei,
Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa,
Teraina; note - one council for each of the inhabited islands)

Independence: 12 July 1979 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979)

Constitution: 12 July 1979

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President (Beretitenti)
Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994) was elected by popular vote;
note - the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidates
from among their members and then those candidates compete in a
general election; election last held 30 September 1994 (next to be
held by NA 1999); results - Teburoro TITO 51.2%, Tewareka TENTOA
18.3%, Roniti TEIWAKI 16.0%, Peter Taberannang TIMEON 14.5%; Vice
President (Kauoman-ni-Beretitenti) Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October
1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from among the
members of the House of Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu): elections last held 22
July 1994 (next to be held by NA 1999); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (40 total, 39 elected) Maneaban Te Mauri 13,
National Progressive Party 7, independents 19

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, judges at all levels are
appointed by the president; High Court, judges at all levels are
appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: National Progressive Party, Teatao
TEANNAKI; Christian Democratic Party, Teburoro TITO; New Movement
Party, leader NA; Liberal Party, Tewareka TENTOA; Maneaban Te Mauri
Party, Roniti TEIWAKI
note: there is no tradition of formally organized political parties
in Kiribati; they more closely resemble factions or interest groups