General elections were held in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands on 4 April 1974.
[1] The system of government was changed again prior to the 1974 elections; the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order 1974 replaced the Legislative Council with a 31-member House of Assembly, including 28 elected members and three ex officio members.
[3] Leader of Government business, Reuben Uatioa, who had been favourite to become the first Chief Minister was defeated by Abete Merang in Urban Tarawa.
[1] Ratieta appointed a six-member cabinet, including Ellice Islanders Sione Tui Kleis as Minister for Commerce and Industry and Isakala Paeniu as Minister for Natural Resources.
[2] Otiuea Tanentoa replaced Kleis as Minister for Commerce and Industry.