REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI
(No. 14 of 1997)

I assent,

(Sgd: T. Tito)
Beretitenti
29/12/1997

AN ACT TO AMEND THE ELECTIONS ORDINANCE (CAP. 29B)

Commencement:
1997

MADE by the Maneaba ni Maungatabu and assented to by the Beretitenti.

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Elections (Amendment) Act 1997.

Amendment of section 24

2. Section 24 of the Elections Ordinance (Cap. 29B) shall be amended by adding the following proviso:

"Provided further that any person making a customary offering to a Maneaba, referred to in I-Kiribati as "Mweaka", "Moanei" or "Ririwete", with the sole intention of showing respect for the customs and traditions of Kiribati, shall not be guilty of bribery."

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THE ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) ACT 1997

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

This Act amends the Elections Ordinance (Cap. 29B) by giving statutory recognition to customary offerings to maneabas by candidates in elections and specifically excluding such offerings from being deemed as bribery under section 24 of the Ordinance.

This amendment is not intended to change the current law, but to give statutory recognition to the existing interpretation of the Ordinance.

Michael N. Takabwebwe
Attorney General
5 May 1997