ion: NA%

male: NA%

female: NA%

Kiribati Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati

conventional short form: Kiribati

note: pronounced kir-ih-bahss

former: Gilbert Islands

Government type: 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 - one for each of the
inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru,
Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei,
Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa,
Teraina)

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: President Teburoro TITO (since 1
October 1994); Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October
1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government

head of government: President Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994);
Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October 1994); note - the
president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of the House of Assembly, includes the president, vice president,
attorney general, and up to eight other ministers

elections: the House of Assembly chooses the presidential
candidates from among their members and then those candidates
compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote
for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 1998 (next to
be held by NA November 2002); vice president appointed by the
president

election results: Teburoro TITO reelected president; percent of
vote - Teburoro TITO 52.3%, Dr. Harry TONG 45.8%, Amberoti NIKORA
1.9%, Taberannang TIMEON 0%

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni
Maungatabu (41 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio
member, and one nominated to represent Banaba; members serve
four-year terms)

elections: last held 23 September 1998 (next to be held by NA
September 2002)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
Maneaban Te Mauri Party 14, National Progressive Party 11,
independents 14

Judicial bra