Parliamentary elections were held in Tuvalu on 16 September 2010.[1][2] Voters elected fifteen members of the Parliament to a four-year term. All candidates were independents, as there are no political parties in the country. Ten out of the fifteen incumbent members were re-elected. The remaining five incumbents, including Deputy Prime Minister Tavau Teii, did not retain their seats.[3] The incumbent Prime Minister, Apisai Ielemia, retained his seat in Vaitupu constituency.[4] On 29 September, Maatia Toafa from Nanumea won eight of the fifteen votes to become Prime Minister.

However, on 24 December 2010, after a motion of no confidence, carried by eight votes to seven,[5] Maatia Toafa was replaced by Willy Telavi as Prime Minister of Tuvalu.[6]

Willy Telavi retained a bare majority through the term of his ministry until by-elections were won by candidates that supported the opposition. Willy Telavi attempted to avoid facing a vote of the parliament until he was forced to call parliament following the intervention of the governor-general. On 2 August 2013 Willy Tevali faced a motion of no confidence in the parliament: the voting was eight for the motion, four against.[7] On 4 August the parliament elected Enele Sopoaga as Prime Minister.[7][8][9]

Background

Parliament was dissolved on 13 August 2010, and registration began on 28 August.[10] There are no political parties in Tuvalu, so all candidates are non-partisan.[11]

Twenty-six candidates, including all sitting Members of Parliament, stood for the fifteen seats in Parliament.[12] Tuvalu has "about 6,000 eligible voters" – a little over half the country's population.[13][14]

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.[15][16] Sopoaga stood for election in the Nukufetau constituency, and is reportedly considered a "national hero" for his diplomatic work at the Copenhagen Summit on climate change in December 2009.[16] Enele Sopoaga was elected by the voters of Nukufetau.

Controversy

Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and Communications Minister Taukelina Finikaso, who are relatives, stood for election in the same Vaitupu constituency in the 2010 election.[11] (The top two vote earners in Vaitupu are elected to parliament). Finikaso filed a complaint against Ielemia prior to the election, accusing the Prime Minister of distributing voter registration forms before the official registration date.[11]

Results

There were 6,008 registered voters in the election, and voter turnout was reportedly strong.[17] Voting began at 8 a.m. and closed at 4 p.m. before counting commenced at the country's twelve polling stations.[18]

Prime Minister Ielemia retained his seat to win re-election from his Vaitupu constituency.[17] Ielemia's re-election prospects had been thought to be tenuous before the election.[17]

In total, ten MPs were re-elected, including Speaker Kamuta Latasi, while five incumbent MPs – including deputy Prime Minister Tavau Teii – lost their seats.[2][16][17] The announcement that ten sitting MPs had been re-elected was made by Speaker Kamuta Latasi the following day.[3][19]

ConstituencyCandidateVotes%Notes
FunafutiKausea Natano43642.5Elected
Kamuta Latasi30229.4Elected
Samuelu Teo28928.1
NanumagaMonise Lafai37941.9Elected
Falesa Pitoi29632.7Elected
Otinielu Tausi23025.4
NanumeaMaatia Toafa53137.7Elected
Willy Telavi44331.5Elected
Amuia Tapeva43430.8
NiutaoFauoa Maani31424.5Elected
Vete Sakaio31424.5Elected
Tomu Sione23518.3
Tavau Teii21817.0Unseated
Iopu Iupasi Kaisala20015.6
NuiIsaia Italeli26324.6Elected
Taom Tanukale24623.0Elected
Alesana Seluka20319.0
Iopu Iupasi20018.7
Leneuoti Maatusi15914.8
NukufetauEnele Sopoaga49040.5Elected
Lotoala Metia39932.9Elected
Elisala Pita32226.6
NukulaelaeNamoliki Sualiki14855.8Elected
Vaefitu Luke Paeniu11744.2
VaitupuApisai Ielemia59738.7Elected
Taukelina Finikaso54135.1Elected
Ionatana Peia40326.2
Source: Tuvalu News, Psephos

Aftermath

Government formation

Speaker Latasi originally announced that all fifteen MPs would meet the following week to form a new government.[19] However, the election of a new Prime Minister was not held until 29 September 2010.[20] Incumbent Apisai Ielemia, who became caretaker prime minister after the election, hoped to form a new government, though he ultimately did not have the support in the new parliament.[20] Enele Sopoaga was reported as being a possible challenger for the premiership.[15]

A secret ballot to determine the next prime minister was held on 29 September 2010.[4] Maatia Toafa, who had served as Prime Minister from 2004 to 2006 and the Leader of the Opposition from 2006 to 2010, won the ballot to become Tuvalu's next prime minister with five new members and three members of the previous government.[2][4] Toafa narrowly defeated Kausea Natano, who received seven votes in the ballot.[4] Toafa took office on the day of his election and named his Cabinet almost immediately. He included a number of first time MPs who had supported his bid for the premiership – including Enele Sopoaga, who became Minister for Foreign Affairs.[21][22] Isaia Taeia Italeli, the younger brother of Governor General Iakopa Taeia Italeli, became the speaker of parliament.[2]

However, on 15 December 2010, Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's government was ousted in a motion of no confidence, which followed Willie Telavi withdrawing his support for the government.[5] On 25 December 2010 Willy Telavi was elected prime minister with an (8:7) majority over Enele Sopoaga. Kamuta Latasi, was appointed Speaker.[2][6]

By-elections

Minister of Works Isaia Italeli died suddenly in July 2011,[23] which led to the 2011 Nui by-election in the following month. The election was won by his widow, Pelenike Isaia, who became only the second woman ever to have sat in the Tuvaluan Parliament.[2] The by-election was described as "pivotal", as Italeli's death had deprived Prime Minister Willy Telavi of his government's one seat majority in Parliament. Pelenike Isaia's election restored the one seat majority,[24] of the government of Willy Telavi.

Lotoala Metia, the MP for Nukufetau and Minister of Finance, died on 21 December 2012. The 2013 Nukufetau by-election was held on 28 June.[25] The Nukufetau by-election was won by the opposition candidate Elisala Pita.[26]

Constitutional crisis

After Pita's victory, a constitutional crisis developed when Prime Minister Telavi responded that, under the Constitution, he was only required to convene Parliament once a year, and was thus under no obligation to summon it until December 2013.[27] Tuvalu's opposition then requested the Governor-General Iakoba Italeli to intervene against the Prime Minister's decision.[28] On 3 July, Italeli exercised his reserve powers in ordering Parliament to convene, against the Prime Minister's wishes, on 30 July.[29]

The Governor-General, Iakoba Italeli, then proceeded to exercise his reserve powers to order Telavi to stand down as prime minister and appointed Enele Sopoaga as interim prime minister.[30][31] The Governor-General also ordered that parliament sit on Friday 2 August to allow a vote of no-confidence in Telavi and his government.[32]

On 2 August 2013 Willy Tevali faced a motion of no confidence in the parliament: the voting was eight for the motion, four against and one abstention.[7] On 4 August the parliament elected Enele Sopoaga as Prime Minister.[7][8][9]

Sopoaga gained further support in the parliament following the 2013 Nui by-election,[33][34][35] and the 2014 Nanumaga by-election.[36][37][38] Willy Telavi resigned from parliament in August 2014.[39][40] The result of the 2014 Nanumea by-election provided further support for the government of Enele Sopoaga.[41] A general election was set down for 19 March 2015.[42]

Members of Parliament immediately prior to the 2015 general election

ConstituencyMembersFaction
FunafutiKausea NatanoOpposition
Kamuta LatasiOpposition
NanumagaMonise LafaiGovernment
Otinielu Tausi[37]Government
NanumeaMaatia ToafaGovernment
Satini Manuella[41]Government
NiutaoFauoa MaaniGovernment
Vete SakaioGovernment
NuiPelenike IsaiaOpposition
Leneuoti Maatusi[33]Government
NukufetauEnele SopoagaGovernment
Elisala Pita[26]Government
NukulaelaeNamoliki SualikiGovernment
VaitupuApisai IelemiaOpposition
Taukelina FinikasoGovernment

References

  1. ↑ "Tuvalu government focuses on needs of individual outer islands". Wellington: Radio New Zealand International. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Tuvalu PM returns, five new MPs elected", Pacific Islands News Association, 17 September 2010
  4. 1 2 3 4 "New Prime Minister for Tuvalu". Australia Network. 29 September 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Nominations open for new Tuvalu PM". Radio New Zealand International. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  6. 1 2 "Willie Telavi the new prime minister in Tuvalu". Radio New Zealand International. 24 December 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Cooney, Campbell (4 August 2013). "Tuvalu parliament elects new prime minister". Australia News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  8. 1 2 Cooney, Campbell (5 August 2013). "Sopoaga elected new PM in Tuvalu". Radio Australia. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Enele Sopoaga Sworn-in Today as Tuvalu's New PM". Islands Business. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Tuvalu Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow ahead of elections in five weeks". Radio New Zealand International. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 Matau, Robert (2010). "Politics: Changing Leadership?". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 24 May 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  12. ↑ "Tuvalu gears up for parliamentary elections". Radio New Zealand International. 15 September 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  13. ↑ "Tuvalu goes to the polls", Agence France Presse, 16 September 2010.
  14. ↑ "Tuvalu completes voting in national elections", Radio Australia, 16 September 2010.
  15. 1 2 "Tuvalu completes voting in national elections", Radio Australia, 16 September 2010
  16. 1 2 3 "Elections à Tuvalu" Archived 6 October 2011 at archive.today, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (French), 17 September 2010.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Tuvalu PM, speaker retain seats as deputy PM crashes out". Radio Australia. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Tuvalu prepares for Friday national poll". Islands Business. 15 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  19. 1 2 "Tuvalu PM re-elected, seeks to form govt". Sydney Morning Herald. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  20. 1 2 "Tuvaluan Prime Minister to be named Wednesday". Radio Australia. 27 September 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2010.
  21. ↑ "New-look government for Tuvalu". Radio New Zealand International. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  22. ↑ "New Tuvalu PM Maatia Toafa names cabinet", ABC Radio Australia, 29 September 2010
  23. ↑ "Samoa police rule out foul play in death of Tuvalu minister". Radio New Zealand International. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  24. ↑ "Tuvalu Government set to retain power" Archived 17 July 2012 at archive.today, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 24 August 2011
  25. ↑ "Tuvalu's former PM Sopoaga has another shot". Islands Business. 10 June 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  26. 1 2 "Tuvalu's Opposition waiting to hear from GG". Islands Business. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  27. ↑ "Parliament needs one yearly meeting only says defiant Tuvalu PM". Radio New Zealand International. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  28. ↑ Coutts, Geraldine (2 July 2013). "Tuvalu opposition demands parliament be allowed to sit after weekend by-election". Radio Australia. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Tuvalu's parliament convenes 30 July". Islands Business. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  30. ↑ Matau, Robert (1 August 2013). "GG appoints Sopoaga as Tuvalu's caretaker PM". Island Business. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  31. ↑ AFP, Report (2 August 2013). "Dismissal crisis rocks Tuvalu". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  32. ↑ Cooney, Campbell (1 August 2013). "Tuvalu government faces constitutional crisis". Australia News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  33. 1 2 "New MP elected in Tuvalu". Islands Business from Radio Tuvalu. 11 September 2013. Archived from the original on 5 April 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  34. ↑ Matau, Robert (5 August 2013). "Tuvalu govt bombshells". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "New Tuvalu Govt to release road map for first 100 days in power". Radio New Zealand International. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  36. ↑ Matau, Robert (January 2014). "New speaker for Tuvalu in the new year?". Islands Business. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  37. 1 2 "Tuvalu by-election sees former speaker win seat". Radio New Zealand. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  38. ↑ "Former Tuvalu Speaker joins government". Islands Business – From FENUI NEWS/PACNEWS. 22 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "Tuvalu to hold by-election after MP resignation". Radio Australia. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  40. ↑ "Former Tuvalu PM quits parliament". Radio New Zealand International. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  41. 1 2 "New MP elected in Tuvalu". FENEUI NEWS/PACNEWS. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  42. ↑ "Two unopposed seats for Tuvalu election". Radio New Zealand. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
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