16 Jul 2012

Nauru President poised to have more political reforms before MPs within months

7:41 pm on 16 July 2012

The President of Nauru says he hopes to have additional political reforms considered by MPs ahead of the election due late this year or early next year.

Last week MPs agreed to increase the number of parliamentarians from 18 to 19 at the next poll as part of an endeavour to end parliamentary deadlocks.

The President, Sprent Dabwido, has been a strong advocate of reforms that also include the election of the Speaker from outside of Parliament, a leadership code and the establishment of an Ombudsman Commission.

He says the impetus for reform began six years so he is delighted one key element has finally been passed.

President Dabwido says he confident the additional seat will lead to a new style of campaigning.

"I think there is going to be a big difference. There there will be more strategies involved, I think. Those are yet to come up yet and we will see. It is the first time the island has had a change in the numbers of members to be returned and it is going to be a very interesting election."