Tuvaluan Elections - Latest Election

Latest Election

The Tuvaluan general election, 2010 is the most recent election. Parliament was dissolved on 13 August 2010, and registration began on 28 August 2010. Twenty-six candidates, including all sitting Members of Parliament, stood for the fifteen seats in Parliament.

There were 6,008 registered voters. Many candidates focused on climate change issues including Enele Sopoaga, a former Tuvalu Ambassador to the United Nations and Tuvalu’s representative at the UN Climate Change Conference held in Copenhagen in 2009.

Ten of the 15 members of parliament retained their seats including the Speaker Kamuta Latasi, while Deputy Prime Minister Tavau Teii lost his seat. Enele Sopoaga was elected by the voters of Nukufetau. Following the election Maatia Toafa was elected as prime minister with the support of five new members of parliament and three members that had supported Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia. Maatia Toafa as supported by an (8:7) majority in the parliament. Isaia Taeia Italeli, the younger brother of the Governor General, Iakopa Taeia Italeli was appointed the Speaker of the parliament.

However on 15 December 2010, Prime Minister Maatia Toafa's government was ousted in a vote of no confidence, which followed Willie Telavi withdrawing his support for the government. On 25 December 2010 Willy Telavi was elected prime minister with an (8:7) majority in parliament that included the support of Enele Sopoaga. Kamuta Latasi, was appointed Speaker.

No women were elected in the general elections held in September 2010. In the by-election held in August 2011, Pelenike Isaia, the widow of Isaia Italeli who had passed away the previous month, was elected by the constituency of Nui. Pelenike Isaia becoming the second woman to enter the Parliament of Tuvalu.