Elections and political parties in Tuvalu

Tuvalu
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Tuvalu elects a legislature on a national level. The Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu) has 15 members, elected for a four year term in 7 double- and 1 single-seat constituencies. Tuvalu is a de facto non-partisan democracy since it does not have political parties.

Throughout the history of the parliament two women have been elected: Naama Maheu Latasi, from 1989 to 1997; and Pelenike Isaia who was elected in a by-election in the Nui constituency in 2011 that followed the death of her husband Pelenike Isaia, who was a member of parliament and the Minister of Works.

Main articles: politics of Tuvalu and Tuvaluan constitutional referendum, 2008

Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu)

During the time Tuvalu was a British dependency the parliament of Tuvalu was called the House of the Assembly. Following independence in October 1978 the House of the Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu).

The Constitution of Tuvalu states that it “is the supreme law of Tuvalu” and that “all other laws shall be interpreted and applied subject to this Constitution”; it sets out the Principles of the Bill of Rights and the Protection of the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

The constituency of the parliament is based upon the islands of Tuvalu. The larger islands elect two members, while Nukulaelae elects one member. The smallest island, Niulakita, is represented in the Parliament of Tuvalu by the members of the constituency of Niutao. A candidate for parliament must be a citizen of Tuvalu of a minimum age of 21 years. Voting in Tuvalu is not compulsory. At 18 years of age, Tuvaluans are eligible to be added to the electoral rolls. At the date of independence there were 12 members of the Parliament of Tuvalu. The parliament was increased in 2006 to 15 elected members. Those members selected the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the parliament by secret ballot. The Ministers that form the Cabinet are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Attorney-General sits in parliament, but does not vote, as the parliamentary role of the Attorney-General is purely advisory.

Parties

Due to the small population size and scale of the 15 seat parliament, Tuvalu has no 'real political parties', meaning that the political system in Tuvalu exhibits the traits of a Non-partisan democracy. While there are no formal parties in Tuvalu, the political system is based on personal alliances and loyalties derived from clan and family connections.

Latest election

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 2010

The Tuvaluan general election, 2010 is the most recent election. Parliament was dissolved on 13 August 2010, and registration began on 28 August 2010. Twenty-six candidates, including all sitting Members of Parliament, stood for the fifteen seats in Parliament.

There were 6,008 registered voters. Many candidates focused on climate change issues including Enele Sopoaga, a former Tuvalu Ambassador to the United Nations and Tuvalu’s representative at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in 2009.

Ten of the 15 members of parliament retained their seats including the Speaker Kamuta Latasi, while Deputy Prime Minister Tavau Teii lost his seat. Enele Sopoaga was elected by the voters of Nukufetau. Following the election Maatia Toafa was elected as prime minister with the support of five new members of parliament and three members that had supported Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia. Maatia Toafa as supported by an (8:7) majority in the parliament. Isaia Taeia Italeli, the younger brother of the Governor General, Iakopa Taeia Italeli was appointed the Speaker of the parliament.

However on 15 December 2010, Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's government was ousted in a vote of no confidence, which followed Willie Telavi withdrawing his support for the government. On 25 December 2010 Willy Telavi was elected prime minister with an (8:7) majority in parliament that included the support of Enele Sopoaga. Kamuta Latasi, was appointed Speaker.

No women were elected in the general elections held in September 2010. In the by-election held in August 2011, Pelenike Isaia, the widow of Isaia Italeli who had passed away the previous month, was elected by the constituency of Nui. Pelenike Isaia becoming the second woman to enter the Parliament of Tuvalu.

Past elections

Main articles: politics of Tuvalu, Tuvaluan general election, 2006, and List of by-elections in Tuvalu

2006 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 2006

The general election was held on 3 August 2006. There were approximately 6,000 registered voters. 32 candidates, including 2 women, competed for the 15 seats (the parliament had been increased from 12 to 15 elected members). Maatia Toafa was re-elected to his seat in parliament; however all his cabinet members were defeated. Eight new members were elected to the parliament. On 14 August 2006 Apisai Ielemia was elected as prime minister; and Kamuta Latasi was appointed the Speaker of the parliament. Apisai Ielemia formed an eight-member cabinet.

2002 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 2002

The general election was held on 25 July 2002. There were 5,188 registered voters with the turnout on election date being 80% of voters. 39 candidates competed for the 15 parliamentary seats. Six members of the former parliament lost their seats including Prime Minister Koloa Talake and the Speaker, Tomu Sione. On 2 August 2002 Saufatu Sopoanga, who had been Minister of Finance in the previous administration, was elected Prime Minister.

On 25 August 2004 Saufatu Sopoanga resigned as prime minister and member of parliament following the vote on a motion of no confidence. A by-election was held on 7 October 2004 and Saufatu Sopoanga regained his seat. Maatia Toafa was elected prime minister on 11 October 2004 and Saufatu Sopoanga became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Works Transport and Communication.

1998 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 1998

On 18 December 1997 the parliament was dissolved and the general election was held on 26 March 1998. During the election campaign, candidates from the incumbent government and the opposition traded allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. The result of the election was that 7 existing members were returned (including Bikenibeu Paeniu and Tomasi Puapua); 2 members of previous parliaments were elected; and 3 new members were elected. Former Prime Minister Kamuta Latasi lost his seat. Bikenibeu Paeniu was re-elected prime minister on 8 April 1998; the Deputy Prime Minister was Kokeiya Malua and Tomu Sione was appointed as Speaker of the parliament. Bikenibeu Paeniu remained as prime minister until he resigned following the vote on a motion of no confidence on 27 April 1999.

Ionatana Ionatana was then elected as prime minister. After the death of Prime Minister Ionatana on 8 December 2000, Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001. Faimalaga Luka became the prime minister on 24 February 2001 until he was replaced by Koloa Talake after a vote of no confidence on 14 December 2001. Koloa Talake was appointed prime minister until he was voted out of office as a result of the vote at the general election in August 2002.

1993 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, September 1993 and Tuvaluan general election, November 1993

The general election was held on 2 September 1993. In the subsequent parliament the members were evenly split in their support of the incumbent Prime Minister Bikenibeu Paeniu and the former Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua.

As a consequence, the Governor-General dissolved the parliament on 22 September and a further election took place on 25 November 1993. The subsequent parliament elected Kamuta Latasi as prime minister on 10 December 1993, with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by former Prime Minister Bikenibeu Paeniu. The Deputy Prime Minister was Otinielu Tausi and Tomasi Puapua was appointed the Speaker of the parliament. Kamuta Latasi was the prime minister until 24 December 1996. As the result of the vote on a motion of no confidence Kamuta Latasi resigned and Bikenibeu Paeniu was elected as prime minister for the second time.

1989 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 1989

The general election was held on 26 March 1989. Naama Maheu Latasi was elected to represent the constituency of Nanumea and was the first woman elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu. Bikenibeu Paeniu was subsequently elected as Prime Minister, with a five-member Cabinet formed on 16 October 1989.

1985 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 1985

The general election was held on 12 September 1985, with nine members re-elected including Prime Minister Tomasi Puapua and Finance Minister Henry Naisali. On 21 September, Tomasi Puapua was re-elected as Prime Minister; he subsequently appointed a five-member Cabinet.

1981 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 1981

The first elections after independence will not held until 8 September 1981. 26 candidates contested the 12 seats. Dr. Tomasi Puapua, was elected as prime minister with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by former Prime Minister Toaripi Lauti.

1977 elections to the House of Assembly

See also: Tuvaluan general election, 1977

During the time Tuvalu was a British dependency the parliament was called the House of the Assembly or Fale I Fono. Following independence in October 1978 the House of the Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Tuvalu or Palamene o Tuvalu.

As a consequence of the Ellice Islands self-determination referendum, 1974, separation occurred in two stages. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government. The second stage occurred on 1 January 1976 when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.

Elections to the House of Assembly of the British Colony of Tuvalu were held on 27 August 1977; with Toaripi Lauti being appointed as prime minister on 1 October 1977. The parliament was dissolved in July 1978 with the government of Toaripi Lauti continuing as a caretaker government until the 1981 elections were held.

See also

• List of by-elections in Tuvalu
• Electoral calendar
• Electoral system
• Politics of Tuvalu
• List of political parties by country

External links

• "Tuvalu" at Adam Carr's Election Archive