Prior to the elections constitutional changes saw the House of Representatives replaced with a 33-member Legislative Council consisting of 28 elected members, three ex officio members (the Assistant to the Resident Commissioner, the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary)[3] and two civil servants.[4]
Campaign
A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.[5] Of the 23 incumbent members, only 13 ran for re-election.[3]
Results
Only five of the 23 incumbent MPs were re-elected, with eight of them losing their seat.[3]Tekarei Russell became the first female member of the legislature.[3] Director of Agriculture Ray Harberd and Director of Education Harry Urquhart were appointed as the two nominated official members.[3]