26 Aug 2019

Nauru election officials find ballot papers, order recount

4:20 pm on 26 August 2019

The Nauru Electoral Commission has ordered a recount in the country's largest electorate after the discovery of six ballot papers in the parliamentary chamber.

The Parliament building in Nauru.

The parliament building in Nauru. Photo: Supplied/ @ChrisTrott

The Commission has put out a statement saying it is to conduct the recount today but it has given no explanation for the sudden appearance of the ballot papers.

The Ubenide electorate provides four of Nauru's 19 MPs.

David Adeang, who was finance minister in the previous government, was the highest polling of the four winning candidates, with a margin of 103 votes over second placed Russ Kun.

Nauru's election at the weekend is expected to usher in substantial change, with half of the sitting MPs losing their seats.

Nauru's Justice Minister David Adeang

David Adeang Photo: Supplied