2006 Tuvaluan general election explained

Election Name:2006 Tuvaluan general election
Type:Parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Country:Tuvalu
Seats For Election:All 15 seats in the Parliament of Tuvalu
Previous Year:2002
Previous Election:2002 Tuvaluan general election
Next Year:2010
Next Election:2010 Tuvaluan general election
Election Date:3 August 2006
Party1:Independents
Seats Before1:15
Prime Minister
Before Election:Maatia Toafa
Posttitle:Subsequent
Prime Minister
After Election:Apisai Ielemia

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 3 August 2006 to elect fifteen members to the Parliament. There were 5,765 eligible voters on the electoral roll.[1] 32 candidates, including 2 women, competed for the 15 seats (the parliament had been increased from 12 to 15 elected members). All fifteen candidates elected were Independents, as there are no political parties in the country.[2]

The years before the election had involved an uncertain economic situation with questions about the political stability with frequent changes of prime minister. There had also been questions about the integrity of some government ministers.[1]

The election saw eight of the fifteen incumbent MPs defeated, including the entire cabinet of the incumbent Prime Minister Maatia Toafa (who did retain his seat).[2] Eight new members were elected to the parliament.[2] The new members of parliament are predominantly experienced civil servants, including Taukelina Finikaso (former diplomat); Iakoba Italeli (former attorney general); Lotoala Metia (former auditor general); Namoliki Sualiki (former school principal); Willy Telavi (former police commissioner); and Falesa Pitoi (dentist).[1]

Apisai Ielemia was elected the prime minister.[3]

Results

ConstituencyCandidateVotes%Notes
FunafutiKamuta Latasi35245.8Re-elected
Kausea Natano34044.4Re-elected
Emily Koepeke Lauti395.0
Iosefa Elisala374.8
NanumagaFalesa Pitoi33539.0Elected
Otinielu Tausi30035.0Re-elected
Halo Tuavai22226.0
NanumeaMaatia Toafa39728.6Re-elected
Willy Telavi42230.5Elected
Kokea Malua29821.5Unseated
Annie Homasi23416.8
Langitupu Tuilimu362.6
NiutaoTomu Sione41633.0Elected
Tavau Teii37329.0Re-elected
Samuelu Teo31825.0
Iopu Iupasi Kaisala16913.0
NuiIakoba Italeli28131.0Elected
Alesana Seluka22024.3Elected
Taom Tanukale21223.4
Pakai Asaia19221.2
NukufetauLotoala Metia50737.5Elected
Elisala Pita43031.8Elected
Saufatu Sopoanga41430.6
NukulaelaeNamoliki Sualiki10942.1Elected
Bikenibeu Paeniu6525.1Unseated
Vaefitu Luke Paeniu6424.7
Iefata Paeniu218.1
VaitupuApisai Ielemia33634.2Re-elected
Taukelina Finikaso24725.2Elected
Matanile Iosefa22422.8
Eti Esela17317.6
Leti Pelesala20.2Unseated
Source: Hassall, Psephos

Aftermath

See also: Ielemia Ministry. On 14 August 2006 Apisai Ielemia was elected as prime minister; he had been a diplomat, clerk to parliament and senior civil servant.[3] Kamuta Latasi was appointed the Speaker of the parliament.[2] The new government sworn in by Governor General, Reverend Filoimea Telito on 14 August comprised Apisai Ielemia as Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Tavau Teii (Niutao) Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources; Willy Telavi (Nanumea) Home Affairs; Lotoala Metia (Nukufetau) Finance, Economic Planning and Industries; Kausea Natano (Funafuti) Public Utilities; Taukelina Finikaso (Vaitupu) Communications and Works; Italeli Taeia (Nui) Education, Sports and Health. Sir Tomu Sione (Niutao) acted as Chairman of the Caucus.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Hassall . Graham . Democracy and Elections Project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific. The Tuvalu General Election 2006 . 2006.
  2. Web site: Inter-Parliamentary Union. Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu) . 2006. 7 March 2013.
  3. Web site: Radio New Zealand . Tuvalu elects Apisai Ielemia as new prime minister. 15 August 2006. 11 April 2015.