1987 Kiribati presidential election

1987 Kiribati presidential election

← 1983 12 May 1987 1991 →
Turnout	78.3% ( 9.0pp)
Candidate Ieremia Tabai Teburoro Tito Teatao Teannaki Popular vote 10,800 9,197 1,550 Percentage 50.12% 42.68% 7.19% Home island Nonouti Tabiteuea Abaiang
Map of margin of victory by constituency
President before election Ieremia Tabai Elected President Ieremia Tabai

Politics of Kiribati
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Executive President Taneti Maamau Vice-President Teuea Toatu Cabinet
Legislative House of Assembly Speaker: Willie Tokataake Members
Judiciary Court of Appeal President: Sir Peter Blanchard High Court Chief Justice: Bill Hastings (suspended)
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Presidential elections were held in Kiribati on 12 May 1987. Three candidates for the presidency were chosen from among members of parliament; incumbent president Ieremia Tabai, incumbent vice-president Teatao Teannaki and opposition member Teburoro Tito.

The campaign was heavily centred on a controversial deal that Tabai had negotiated with the Soviet Union in 1985, which granted the USSR fishing rights in the waters around Kiribati. Religion also had a significant effect on the political divide, with Protestants generally supporting Tabai's government and Catholics generally supporting the opposition. In addition, Tabai's candidacy was subject to a legal challenge, as the constitution limited presidents to three terms. The court declined to issue an injunction, allowing Tabai to run for president on the argument that he was elected as chief minister instead of president in 1978.

The results saw Tabai re-elected with 50.1% of the vote, with Tito finishing second with 42.7% of the vote. Teannaki received 7.2%.