The second round of elections on August 19 will shape the formation of the new government. Photo: The Kiribati Newsroom / Rimon Rimon
Preliminary election results in Kiribati are showing close contests for constituencies in and around the capital Tarawa, but the opposite in outer island electorates.
Radio Kiribati says among those reportedly retaining their seats in interim results are the incumbent president, Taneti Maamau, in Onotoa, and the opposition leader, Tessie Eria Lambourne in Abemama.
Six MPs from the last parliament, including one cabinet minister, are reported to have lost their seats.
An elected council official on Tarawa, Eddie Karouwa, says most seats in the capital look likely to go to the runoff round on Monday - with no candidates clearing the 50 percent threshold for an outright win.
