TARAWA – Continuing rain in Kiribati has failed to dampen spirits as election campaigning ended yesterday.

The first round of the national elections will be held today to choose a 44-member parliament.

New candidates are on the electoral list but there are notable absences including President Anote Tong (pictured) who retires after a dozen years at the helm.

A former secretary of internal affairs and current chief executive of local government, Rikiaua Takeke, said on the eve of the polls there was a lot of excitement in the capital Tarawa.

Mr Takeke said there were several common themes driving the public debate on what people wanted from their new leaders.

“Well employment for the people, climate change, corruption, people are actually speaking about that. More economic development. You know more meaningful development that actually touch the lives of people in the outer islands and in the urban areas. These sorts of things,” Mr Takeke said.

The second round of voting is scheduled for January 7.