1977 Tuvaluan general election explained

Type:Parliamentary
Country:Tuvalu
Flag Year:1976
Seats For Election:All 12 seats in the House of Assembly
Next Year:1981
Next Election:1981 Tuvaluan general election
Election Date:27 August 1977
Party1:Independents
Seats1:12
Chief Minister
Posttitle:Subsequent
Prime Minister
After Election:Toaripi Lauti

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 27 August 1977.[1] As there were no political parties, all candidates ran as independents, with Toaripi Lauti who had served as chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu (1975–78), was elected as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence. Voter turnout was 79%.

Background

Following a 1974 referendum, the Ellice Islands separated from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. 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.[2]

A new House of Assembly was established with eight members. Prior to the 1977 elections, the number was increased to twelve. The four islands with a population of over 1,000 elected two members and the other four islands elected one member.[3]

Results

Minister Isakaia Paeniu lost his seat.[4]

Elected members

ConstituencyMember
FunafutiToaripi Lauti
Elia Tavita
Nanumaga
NanumeaMotofoua Feso
Maheu Naniseni
NiutaoTepepe Papua
Tomu Sione
NuiSione Tui Kleis
Nukufetau
NukulaelaeHenry Naisali
VaitupuTomasi Puapua
Taui Finikaso

Aftermath

Following the elections, Toaripi Lauti was elected as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 1 October 1977.[5] The House of the Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Tuvalu after independence in October 1978.[6]

Notes and References

  1. [Dieter Nohlen]
  2. Book: Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy. Tuvalu: A History. 1983 . University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. 169. Chapter 20, Secession and Independence.
  3. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-334992070/view?partId=nla.obj-335117566#page/n19/mode/1up Tuvalu elections
  4. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-335037356/view?partId=nla.obj-335134689#page/n17/mode/1up Tuvalu elections
  5. Book: Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy. Tuvalu: A History. 1983 . University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. 169–173. Chapter 20, Secession and Independence.
  6. Web site: Inter-Parliamentary Union. Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) . 1981. 7 March 2013.