Nominations prompt call for Kiribati poll boycott

Four candidates are on the ballot, but the main opposition party, Maurin Te M'aneaba - led by the President's elder brother, Dr Harry Tong - has failed to get either of its two nominees through the second round of voting.

There are three candidates from last term's majority party - current president Anote Tong, Patrick Tatireta and Banaba MP, Timon Aneri.

The other candidate is Nabuti Mwemwenikarawa, a member of the Maurin Kiribati Party, but also the current Finance Minister.

The two main opposition party nominees, the president's brother Dr Harry Tong and Dr Tetaua Taitai, failed to go through in the second round of secret voting in Parliament.

The resulting ballot reportedly prompted callers to Radio Kiribati saying they will refuse to vote.

There are more than 43,000 registered voters on Kiribati, but it will remain to be seen how many take part in the presidential election next month, which most analysts say will see Anote Tong returned for another term.