Parliamentary election in Nauru 2004
The parliamentary elections in Nauru 2004 took place on 22/23. October 2004.
History and result
After President Ludwig Scotty had dissolved parliament on October 2, 2004, he set early elections for October 23, 2004. Initially, the legality of these elections was controversial, as the suspended Speaker of Parliament Russell Kun had filed an appeal to the Supreme Court against what he believed to be unconstitutional actions by the President. But State Judge Barry Connell rejected the allegations, so that the elections were constitutional. Election forecasts predicted a clear majority of the reformists around President Scotty, as former parliamentarians and supporters of René Harris were booed at election campaign events and members of the Naoero Amo party were celebrated in the Ubenide constituency .
The polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time ( CET 9 p.m. (October 22)) and closed at 6 p.m. local time ( CET 7 a.m. (October 23)). For the first time Nauru people living abroad were able to take part in the election. Corresponding forms had been sent to the Nauru people who lived in Australia , New Zealand , Fiji , the USA and Great Britain .
Scotty's government won the general election by a large margin. While the liberal-reformist government was able to hold all of its 9 of the total of 18 parliamentary seats, the conservative opposition lost 7 of its 9 seats to the government. Election observers from the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth judged the elections to be free and fair. This should overcome the political instability that has persisted for years, as Scotty and his followers now have a majority of 16 against 2, which is the largest parliamentary majority in Naurus history.
The election of the president took place on October 26, 2004. Ludwig Scotty was re-elected as President of the Republic of Nauru unopposed. For parliamentary speaker was Vassal Gadoengin selected. Since Gadoengin died on December 16, Valdon Dowiyogo was elected as the new Speaker of Parliament on December 21 .