21 Sep 2007

Kiribati presidential election without top opposition candidates

3:14 pm on 21 September 2007

Nominees in the Kiribati presidential elections have called for a boycott of next month's vote.

Four candidates are on the ballot, but the main opposition party, led by the President's elder brother, Dr Harry Tong, has failed to get either of its two nominees through the second round of voting.

There are three candidates from last term's majority party - current president Anote Tong, Patrick Tatireta and Timon Aneri.

The other candidate is Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa, who is the current Finance Minister.

The two main opposition party nominees, including Dr Tetaua Taitai, failed to go through in the second round of secret voting in parliament.