2006 Tuvaluan general election

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 has 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] Apisai Ielemia was elected the prime minister.[3]

2006 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The Tuvaluan general election was held on 3 August 2006. Maatia Toafa, the incumbent prime minister, was re-elected to his seat in parliament; however all his cabinet members were defeated. 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]

Representatives By Island

Candidates in boldface were elected.[1] Incumbents are indicated with *

Funafuti constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Kausea Natano *	340	44.4
	Non-partisan	Kamuta Latasi *	352	45.8
	Non-partisan	Emily Koepeke Lauti	39	5
	Non-partisan	Iosefa Elisala	37	4.8

Nanumaga constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Otinielu Tausi *	300	35
	Non-partisan	Dr Falesa Pitoi	335	39
	Non-partisan	Halo Tuavai	222	26

Nanumea constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Maatia Toafa *	397	28.6
	Non-partisan	Kokea Malua *	298	21.5
	Non-partisan	Willy Telavi	422	30.5
	Non-partisan	Annie Homasi	234	16.8
	Non-partisan	Langitupu Tuilimu	36	2.6

Niutao constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Tavau Teii *	373	29
	Non-partisan	Sir Tomu Sione	416	33
	Non-partisan	Samuelu Teo	318	25
	Non-partisan	Iopu Iupasi Kaisala	169	13

Nui constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Dr. Alesana Seluka	220	24
	Non-partisan	Iakoba Italeli	281	31
	Non-partisan	Taom Tanukale	212	23.5
	Non-partisan	Pakai Asaia	192	21.5

Nukufetau constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Saufatu Sopoanga	414	30.5
	Non-partisan	Lotoala Metia	507	37.5
	Non-partisan	Elisala Pita	430	32

Nukulaelae constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Namoliki Sualiki	109	42.3
	Non-partisan	Bikenibeu Paeniu *	65	25
	Non-partisan	Vaefitu Luke Paeniu	64	24.7
	Non-partisan	Iefata Paeniu	21	8

Vaitupu constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Leti Pelesala *	2	0.2
	Non-partisan	Apisai Ielemia *	336	34
	Non-partisan	Taukelina Finikaso	247	25
	Non-partisan	Matanile Iosefa	224	22.8
	Non-partisan	Eti Esela	173	18

Additional source: Adam Carr

Appointment of Apisai Ielemia as prime minister

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]

References

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