[3] On 22 March 2010, Radio New Zealand International reported that President Marcus Stephen had dissolved Parliament in readiness for elections on 24 April 2010.

The election saw all 18 MPs returned,[4] but by this stage, nine of them had formed the Opposition, resulting in a deadlocked Parliament.

After weeks of uncertainty, the deadlock was resolved when the Opposition agreed to have one of its own MPs, Ludwig Scotty, elected as Speaker.

President Stephen then suggested that the number of MPs should be expanded to 19, to prevent future deadlocks.

[5] In late 2012, Parliament, under the leadership of President Dabwido, acted on this suggestion and passed a law increasing the number of seats to 19 after election in 2013, it is expected to prevent future deadlocks like the one in 2010.