14 Jan 2012

Kiribati's Tong beats challengers to win third term

10:57 am on 14 January 2012

Anote Tong will serve a third term as the President of Kiribati.

Following the country's parliamentary elections in November, MPs nominated 3 members for the position of president.

The popular election was deferred for two weeks to avoid Christmas and New Year festivities, and the poll was held on Friday.

Anote Tong won just over 40% of the vote, beating his nearest challenger, Tetaua Taitai by more than 2,000 votes.

Turnout across the country was about 68%.