1976 Nauruan parliamentary election
Parliamentary elections were held in Nauru on 18 December 1976. Following the election, Bernard Dowiyogo was elected President by Members of the Parliament. Background In July 1976 Parliament had forced President Hammer DeRoburt – head of state since independence in 1968 – to resign after refusing to pass financial bills. However, within a few hours DeRoburt was re-elected president unopposed. Campaign A total of 43 candidates contested the elections, two of whom were elected unopposed. An informal Nauru Party was formed prior to the election, the first party on the island. Its members were younger MPs who had been concerned about the country's economic policy and saw DeRoburt's government of making decisions without proper discussion. Results 15 of the 18 incumbents were re-elected. Lagumot Harris, MP for Ubenide, was surprisingly defeated. By constituency Aftermath The newly elected Parliament met on 21 December and re-elected Kenas Aroi was re-elected as Speaker. After DeRoburt refused to listen to suggestions that he appoint some new ministers to his cabinet, he lost the vote for president to Bernard Dowiyogo by nine votes to seven. Following the election, Nauru Party MPs met with DeRoburt and promised that Dowiyogo would resign and allow him to run