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2024 Tuvaluan general election

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2024 Tuvaluan general election
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Kausea Natano

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General elections were held in Tuvalu on 26 January 2024.[1][2][3][4][5] As there are no political parties in Tuvalu, all candidates run as independents. Incumbent Prime Minister Kausea Natano, who assumed office in 2019, lost his seat[6][7] after running for reelection against Finance Minister Seve Paeniu and opposition leader Enele Sopoaga.[8] Two major issues in the election are the Falepili Union treaty, which permits Australia veto power over Tuvalu's foreign security arrangements in exchange for allowing Tuvaluans displaced by climate change to immigrate to Australia and the country's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan within the context of great power competition between the United States and China for influence in the region.[5]

Background

The previous election, held in 2019, saw high turnover among the 16 members of parliament, seven of whom were first-term members. Several cabinet ministers lost their seats. There were two female candidates; one secured a seat.[9] In the vote for prime minister, held shortly after the election, parliament elected Kausea Natano, defeating the incumbent head of government Enele Sopoaga, who had served since 2013.[10][11] The defeat of Sopoaga, who was pro-Taiwan, sparked fears that the new prime minister would sever ties with Taipei in favour of China. Fellow Pacific island country, the Solomon Islands, had made the switch days before.[12] However, Prime Minister Natano later assured that Tuvalu would maintain its diplomatic ties and recognition of Taiwan.[10] Samuelu Teo, son of the country's first Governor-General Fiatau Penitala Teo, was elected parliament speaker.[11]

Falepili Union treaty

In November 2023, Prime Minister Natano signed the Falepili Union treaty with Australia. A significant factor of the treaty grants a pathway for Tuvaluan citizens facing displacement from climate change to immigrate to Australia. In exchange, the agreement allows Australia veto power over Tuvalu's foreign security agreements.[13] Natano said the treaty was essential in preserving Tuvalu's identity.[14] However, former Prime Minister Sopoaga claimed the Falepili Union would undermine the country's sovereignty and vowed to repeal it should he head a government again after the election.[5][13] Sopoaga emphasised the sensitivity of conserving the sovereignty of the Pacific Island nations amidst a period where bigger countries, such as the United States and China, are competing for influence in the region. Former Foreign Minister Simon Kofe also criticised the treaty and pledged to renegotiate with Australia. Kofe highlighted Tuvalu's contracts with numerous international companies, including those that provide the country with satellite connections and questioned if it were necessary for Tuvalu to require Australia's permission to engage with such companies.[15]

Electoral system

The 16 members of parliament are elected from eight two-seat constituencies via plurality block voting.[16][17][10] As there are no formal political parties in Tuvalu, all candidates contest as independents.[15] Candidates are required to be Tuvaluan citizens and at least 21 years old. If, by the registration deadline, no more than two eligible candidates have registered to run in a constituency, these nominees are then, on that day, declared by law to be elected. Candidates have until the day before the election to withdraw if they wish to. All citizens aged 18 and older are eligible to vote; voting is not compulsory.[18][17]

Conduct

Voting began at 8:00 local time (UTC+12:00), concluding at 16:00.[19] The elections officer said turnout was high as voting commenced. No candidates contested the sitting MPs Seve Paeniu, who is also the finance minister, and Namoliki Sualiki in the electorate of Nukulaelae, so they were automatically returned to parliament.[20][5]

In the Funafuti electorate, the caretaker prime minister, Kausea Natano, did not retain his seat in parliament.[21] Former foreign minister Simon Kofe retained his seat in the Funafuti electorate.[21]

After the results are released, boats are sent by the government to pick up winning candidates in order for them to assemble in the capital Funafuti, with the journey taking up to 27 hours.[22][6]

Results

Results are still being announced.[6]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Notes
Funafuti Simon Kofe Re-elected
Kausea Natano Unseated
Nanumanga
Nanumea
Niutao
Nui
Nukufetau
Nukulaelae Seve Paeniu Re-elected (unconstested)
Vaitupu

References

  1. ^ "Elections: Tuvalu Parliament 2023". IFES Election Guide. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. ^ Srinivasan, Prianka (18 November 2023). "Stay or go? Offered a future away from home, Tuvalu's people face a painful choice". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Tuvalu Prepares for Democratic Transition with Upcoming Elections". BNN Breaking. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  4. ^ Marinaccio, Jess (29 November 2023). "Tuvalu's parliament debates the Falepili Union". Development Policy Centre. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Srinivasan, Prianka (25 January 2024). "Tuvalu election: what's happening, and what could it mean for Taiwan, China and the Pacific?". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Needham, Kirsty (27 January 2024). "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". Reuters.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ "Tuvalu's Pro-Taiwan PM Kausea Natano Loses Seat, AFP Reports". Bloomberg.com. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Voting begins in tiny Tuvalu in election that reverberates from China to Australia". World. NPR. Associated Press. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b c "Election results". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Kausea Natano new PM of Tuvalu; Sopoaga ousted". Radio New Zealand. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Tuvalu parliament picks new PM in potential blow for Taiwan". Al Jazeera. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  13. ^ a b Lewis, Lydia (29 November 2023). "Ex-Tuvalu PM running for office in 2024 will 'throw away' Falepili Treaty". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  14. ^ Lewis, Lydia (14 November 2023). "Australia-Tuvalu treaty is 'to maintain our identity', Kausea Natano says". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  15. ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (8 December 2023). "Tuvalu politician who stood in rising sea wants changes to Australia migration treaty". Reuters. Sydney. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Electoral system". archive.ipu.org. Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  18. ^ Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Act (PDF). Parliament of Tuvalu. 2008. pp. 8, 10, 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  19. ^ Foon, Eleisha (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu goes to the polls". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  20. ^ Haxton, Tiana (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu elections 2024: Strong voter turnout reported". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  21. ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (27 January 2024). "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  22. ^ Foon, Eleisha (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu elections 2024: Strong voter turnout reported". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
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