2023 Tokelauan general election explained
General elections were held in Tokelau on 26 January 2023.[1]
Background
The previous elections were held in 2020.[2]
Electoral system
The General Fono consists of a Faipule (representative) and a Pulenuku (village mayor) elected in each of the three villages (Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu). Each village also elects one delegate for every 100 residents.[3] In total six MPs were elected from Nukunonu, and seven each from Atafu and Fakaofo. Voting uses a majoritarian system in which a candidate needs to obtain over 50% of the vote.[4] If there are multiple delegates elected in a village, majority-at-large voting is used. Unlike previous elections, which saw Nukunonu use a different polling method from the other atolls, this was the first election where all three atolls used the same system.[5]
Results
| Position | Atafu members | Fakaofo members | Nukunonu members |
|---|
| Faipule | Kelihiano Kalolo | Fofo Tuisano | Alapati Tavite |
| Pulenuku | Nogo Iupati | O'tinielu Tuumuli | Petelo Patelesio |
Taupulega Representatives
(Village elders) | Lepaio Lua | Kaio Isaako | Falaniko Aloisio |
| Tiu Faō | Tuutuuvae Sefo Ateri | Salesio Lui |
| Tulano Toloa | Taupati Peleni | |
Taulelea Representatives
(Men's group) | Tepapa Tom Toma | Palelei Famatala Sili | Savelio Tumua |
Fafine Representatives
(Women's group) | Latu Kuresa | Malia Sugalu Puē | Lupe Josephine Lui |
| Source: Radio New Zealand | |
No elections were held for the Tokelau: Taupulega seats for Fakaofo as only three candidates were nominated for the three seats available.[6]
Members of the fono and ministers were sworn in on 13 March 2023.[7]
Notes and References
- Web site: 30 December 2022. 29 December 2022. en. Pacific news in brief for December 29. RNZ. 30 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221230011843/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481635/pacific-news-in-brief-for-december-29. live.
- https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/407858/tokelau-prepares-to-head-to-the-polls Tokelau prepares to head to the polls
- https://www.idea.int/answer/ans1303551497548750 Tokelau: Electoral system for national legislature
- Web site: National Elections Rules 2013 . PACLII . 18 January 2023 . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118002157/http://www.paclii.org/tk/legis/consol_act_2016/ner2013241/ . live .
- Web site: 'Every election is important': Tokelau prepares to hit the polls . RNZ . 18 January 2023 . 18 January 2023 . 18 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230118000058/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/482642/every-election-is-important-tokelau-prepares-to-hit-the-polls . live .
- News: A first for Tokelau as all three atolls vote in same electoral process . 7 February 2023 . RNZ . 26 January 2023 . en-nz . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129233821/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/483141/a-first-for-tokelau-as-all-three-atolls-vote-in-same-electoral-process . live .
- Web site: Tokelau welcomes new head of government . RNZ . 13 March 2023 . 13 March 2023 . 12 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230312231225/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/485856/tokelau-welcomes-new-head-of-government . live .
