2019 Tuvaluan general election

Summary

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 9 September 2019.[1] There were 37 candidates seeking election to the Parliament, two of whom are women: Valisi Alimau, who was contesting in the Nukufetau electorate, and Puakena Boreham who was seeking re-election in the Nui electorate.[2]

2019 Tuvaluan general election

← 2015 9 September 2019 2024 →

All 16 seats in the Parliament of Tuvalu
  First party
 
Party Independents
Seats before 16

Results by constituency

Prime Minister0000000 before election

Enele Sopoaga

Subsequent
Prime Minister

Kausea Natano

On 19 September 2019, Kausea Natano was voted into the office of Prime Minister of Tuvalu by a parliamentary majority consisting of 10 MPs.[3] He thus replaced incumbent Enele Sopoaga, who had been holding the position for the past six years and was seeking re-election to a new term.[4][5] Samuelu Teo was elected as Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu.[6]

Electoral system edit

The Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Amendment Act 2019 increased the number of elected representatives for the electorate of Nukulaelae to become 2 PMs. So that each of the 8 island electorates is represented by 2 MPs (Niulakita is represented by the MPs from Niutao). The 16 members of Parliament are elected in eight two-member constituencies using multiple non-transferable vote. As there are no formal political parties, all candidates run as independents.[7]

Results edit

In the Nukufetau electorate the caretaker prime minister, Enele Sopoaga, was returned to Parliament, however Satini Manuella, Taukelina Finikaso and Maatia Toafa, who were ministers, were not returned. Seven new members of Parliament were elected.[8]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Notes
Funafuti Simon Kofe 374 28.6 Re-elected
Kausea Natano 355 27.2 Re-elected
Tuafafa Latasi 349 26.7
Soloseni Penitusi 158 12.0
Luke Paeniu 70 5.3
Nanumanga Monise Lafai 366 36.2 Re-elected
Minute Alapati Taupo 361 35.7 Elected
Otinielu Tausi 284 28.0 Unseated
Nanumea Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu 603 37.4 Elected
Timi Melei 327 20.3 Elected
Tipelu Kauani 266 16.5
Maatia Toafa 219 13.6 Unseated
Satini Manuella 198 12.3 Unseated
Niutao Samuelu Teo 241 18.0 Re-elected
Katepu Laoi 235 17.5 Elected
Polikapo Piloma Teaukai 231 17.2
Tefiti Telaaka Malau 198 14.8
Iopu Iupasi Kaisala 161 12.0
Itaia Lausaveve 155 11.6
Tavau Teii 119 8.9
Nui Puakena Boreham 274 24.9 Re-elected
Mackenzie Kiritome 249 22.6 Re-elected
Mataio Tekinene 239 21.7
Iakoba Italeli 219 19.9
Leneuoti Peau Maatusi 119 10.8
Nukufetau Enele Sopoaga 491 35.8 Re-elected
Fatoga Talama 323 23.5 Elected
Valisi Alimau 285 20.8
Afelee Falema Pita 273 19.9
Nukulaelae Seve Paeniu 199 34.5 Elected
Namoliki Sualiki 182 31.6 Elected
Bikenibeu Paeniu 99 17.1
Luuni Tinilau 96 16.7
Vaitupu Nielu Meisake 642 34.0 Elected
Isaia Taape 494 26.2 Re-elected
Taukelina Finikaso 425 22.5 Unseated
Sam Panapa 323 17.1

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Tuvalu to go to the polls on 9 September". Radio New Zealand. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  2. ^ Tahana, Jamie (7 September 2019). "Sopoanga hopes he's done enough for re-election when Tuvalu goes to the polls". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  3. ^ "New Tuvalu PM will not attend UN Climate Summit in New York". PACNEWS. 18 September 2019. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021.
  4. ^ Evan Wasuka & Alan Weedon (19 September 2019). "Pacific climate change champion Enele Sopoaga is no longer Tuvalu's PM — so who's next in?". Australian broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  5. ^ Colin Packham & Jonathan Barrett (19 September 2019). "Tuvalu changes PM, adds to concerns over backing for Taiwan in Pacific". Reuters. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Kausea Natano new PM of Tuvalu; Sopoaga ousted". Radio NZ. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Tuvalu: Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". ipu.org. 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  8. ^ Tahana, Jamie (10 September 2019). "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 10 September 2019.