National Congress of Mava

National Congress of Mava Mava Matinitanni Najaumiit Congreso Nacional de Mava
11th Congress of the Republic
Type
Type	Unicameral
History
Founded	1 March 1970 8 June 1965 (as the Transitional Congress)
Leadership
Speaker	Taama Iativut, KNM since 20 July 2020
Structure
Seats	51
Political groups	Government (33)   Mavean National Party (33) Opposition (18)   Democratic People's Party (10)   Social Democratic Party (4)   Human Rights Alliance (1) Unaligned (3)   Lati Party (3)
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	9 July 2020
Next election	By 12 July 2025
Meeting place
Palasi Matinitanni, Taalan
Website
www.matinitanni.mv

The National Congress of Mava (Mavean: Mava Repalik Aituniajiin Matinitanni Najaumiit; Almagrian: Congreso Nacional de la República Sostenible de Mava; colloqually "Matinumiit") is the parliament of the Sustainable Republic of Mava. A unicameral legislature, its 51 members are elected every five years by first-past-the-post to represent single-member constituencies.

The National Congress was established on independence in 1970, succeeding the Transitional Congress that Atitlanese colonial authorities established in 1965 to prepare for independence. Congress is presided over by the Speaker (Taama Iativut since 20 July 2020), who is elected by deputies from amongst their number. Congress meets at the Palasi Matinitanni in Taalan, previously the residence of the Governor of Mava. The last election was held on 9 July 2020, with deputies meeting for the first time on 20 July 2020.

Election and composition

The National Congress of Mava has 51 members (deputies) who are directly elected every five years (or before in the case of an early election). All deputies are elected via first-past-the-post in single-member constituencies. Constituency boundaries are determined by the Democracy, Boundary, and Elections Commission and approved by Congress. In addition, there are a number of individuals who may attend and speak, but who may not vote. These are the Catholic Archbishop of Taalan, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Mava, the Lutheran Bishop of Mava, former Presidents who no longer serve as deputies, and provincial governors.

Generally, eligibility to vote is the same as eligibility to stand for election. However, candidates may not be bankrupt and must be proficient in Mavean or Almagrian. Since 2009, a deputy can be recalled if 10 percent of constituents sign a petition.

For registration purposes, political parties are allocated a status based on their position. The governing party is officially recognised as the Government, with the largest party not in government is registered as the Official Opposition. Government and, to a lesser extent, Official Opposition parties have access to state papers and official secrets. Other political groups sit as Opposition parties. Those parties in an alliance with the government but not in a formal coalition sit as Unaligned.

Party standings

Affiliation		Party leader	Status	Members
	Mavean National Party	Juu Kajusit	Government	33
	Democratic People's Party	Aitor Simit	Official Opposition	10
	Social Democratic Party	Jaani Sallent	Opposition	4
	Lati Party	Niku Pialiik	Unaligned	3
	Human Rights Alliance	Unai Aatams	Opposition	1
Total				51
Government majority				19

History

Mava has had a legislature since June 1965, when the Transitional Congress (Mavean: Matinitanni Anuusijinijiin) was established by the Atitlanese government to prepare the islands for independence. Initially, the congress was not directly elected, instead composed of the leading members of the indigenous Mavean National Committee for Political Change (GAKNM). The first election, in July 1966, saw only members of GAKNM eligible to vote and stand as candidates, largely disenfranchising all non-indigenous Maveans.

On independence in March 1970, the Transitional Congress became the permanent Congress of the Republic, the legislature of the new country. In 1997, the name was officially changed to the National Congress of the Sustainable Republic of Mava following the adoption of a new constitution.

List of speakers

• Piaate Salikaami (1 March 1970 - 7 June 1985)
• Kaatipit Raamput (17 July 1985 - 8 June 1990)
• Sitivaan Puraam (18 July 1990 - 13 June 1997)
• Uilpavasi Kalapuan (14 July 1997 - 5 May 2004)
• Kaatipit Iapiim (10 May 2004 - 5 June 2015)
• Suuli Kuaas (13 July 2015 - 5 June 2020)
• Taama Iativut (20 July 2020 - present)

Last election

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Mavean National Party	8,049	34.80	33	-1
	Democratic People's Party	6,981	30.18	10	+1
	Social Democratic Party	4,783	20.68	4	0
	Lati Party	532	2.30	3	+1
	Human Rights Alliance	2,784	12.04	1	-1
Total		23,129	100.00	51	0
Valid votes		22,227	96.10
Invalid/blank votes		902	3.90
Total votes		23,129	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		26,077	88.70
Source: National Congress of Mava

See also

• Mava
• Politics of Mava
• President of Mava