Since 2016, it has 45 members, 44 elected for a four-year term in 23 single-seat and multi-seat constituencies and 1 non-elected delegate from the Banaban community on Rabi Island in Fiji.

From 1979 to 2016, the Attorney general was an ex officio member of the legislature until a change of the constitution modified this provision.

Created by the Constitution of 12 July 1979, in a Westminster system, its seat has been at Ambo in South Tarawa since October 2000.

A new constitution entered into effect on 1 May 1974, creating a House of Assembly of 28 members from the previous Legislative Council of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony (1970).

Three women have been elected to the House of Assembly; Tekarei Russell in 1974, Fenua Tamuera in 1990 and Koriri Tenieu in 2012.

[3] At the first parliamentary session following a general election, the Chief Justice presides over the Maneaba to take nominations for the office of Speaker.