Marshall Islands presidential election, 2009
Encyclopedia
An indirect presidential election was held in the Marshall Islands
on 26 October 2009 following the ousting of incumbent President
Litokwa Tomeing
in the nation's first successful vote of no confidence on 21 October 2009. Tomeing had been temporarily replaced by Ruben Zackhras
as acting president.
Only two candidates were nominated for President, who is elected by the 33-member Nitijela. The candidates were Speaker
Jurelang Zedkaia
and former President Kessai Note, who had led the no confidence measure against Tomeing. Tomeing and Kessai had engaged in a power struggle since Kessai had lost his re-election bid in the 2007 election
. Under the terms of the Marshallese constitution, the Nitijela had fourteen days to elect a new president.
Speaker Jurelang Zedkaia
won election against former president Kessai Note
with 17 to 15 votes. The results gave Zedkaia the one vote-minimum needed to defeat Kessai and win the presidency.
Senators did not vote along party lines during the election, with several crossing the aisle to vote for the presidential candidates in opposing parties. Nitijela Senator Brenson Wase was quoted as describing the shifting political affiliations of the electors as being as mixed up "as a fruit salad
."
Observers noted that Zedkaia is a Iroij, or traditional chief
, like his predecessor, Litokwe Tomeing. Zedkaia's status as Iroij may have been key to his narrow one-vote victory in the election.
President Zedkaia was sworn into office on November 2, 2009.
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
on 26 October 2009 following the ousting of incumbent President
President of the Marshall Islands
-List of Presidents of the Marshall Islands:...
Litokwa Tomeing
Litokwa Tomeing
Iroij Litokwa Tomeing was the President of the Marshall Islands from January 2008 until October 2009.-Early and personal life:Litokwa Tomeing was born on Wotje Atoll, in the Japanese administered Marshall Islands, on October 14, 1939...
in the nation's first successful vote of no confidence on 21 October 2009. Tomeing had been temporarily replaced by Ruben Zackhras
Ruben Zackhras
Ruben R. Zackhras is a Marshallese politician and member of the United Democratic Party, was acting President of the Marshall Islands from 21 October 2009 to 26 October 2009...
as acting president.
Only two candidates were nominated for President, who is elected by the 33-member Nitijela. The candidates were Speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
Jurelang Zedkaia
Jurelang Zedkaia
Jurelang Zedkaia is a Marshallese traditional chief and politician. Zedkaia was elected the 5th President of the Marshall Islands on October 26, 2009, following the ouster of his predecessor, Litokwa Tomeing, in the country's first successful vote of no confidence.-Biography:Zedkaia is the...
and former President Kessai Note, who had led the no confidence measure against Tomeing. Tomeing and Kessai had engaged in a power struggle since Kessai had lost his re-election bid in the 2007 election
Marshall Islands general election, 2007
A general election was held in the Marshall Islands on 19 November 2007.Due to delays in opening the polling stations polling continued until after midnight...
. Under the terms of the Marshallese constitution, the Nitijela had fourteen days to elect a new president.
Speaker Jurelang Zedkaia
Jurelang Zedkaia
Jurelang Zedkaia is a Marshallese traditional chief and politician. Zedkaia was elected the 5th President of the Marshall Islands on October 26, 2009, following the ouster of his predecessor, Litokwa Tomeing, in the country's first successful vote of no confidence.-Biography:Zedkaia is the...
won election against former president Kessai Note
Kessai Note
Kessai Hesa Note is a former President of the Marshall Islands, having served from 2000 to 2008.Having served as Speaker of Parliament since 1988, he was elected President in 2000, and was the first commoner to be elected to the Presidency...
with 17 to 15 votes. The results gave Zedkaia the one vote-minimum needed to defeat Kessai and win the presidency.
Senators did not vote along party lines during the election, with several crossing the aisle to vote for the presidential candidates in opposing parties. Nitijela Senator Brenson Wase was quoted as describing the shifting political affiliations of the electors as being as mixed up "as a fruit salad
Fruit salad
Fruit salad is a dish consisting of various kinds of fruit, served in a liquid, either in their own juices or a syrup. When served as an appetizer or as a dessert, a fruit salad is sometimes known as a fruit cocktail or fruit cup...
."
Observers noted that Zedkaia is a Iroij, or traditional chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
, like his predecessor, Litokwe Tomeing. Zedkaia's status as Iroij may have been key to his narrow one-vote victory in the election.
President Zedkaia was sworn into office on November 2, 2009.