General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 19 March 1971.
[1][2] 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] A total of 110 candidates contested the 28 elected seats, all running as independents.
[3] Reuben Uatioa was elected Leader of Government Business.
[5] An Executive Council was subsequently appointed by Resident Commissioner John Osbaldiston Field after consultation with Uatioa.