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]

2006 Tuvaluan general election

← 2002 3 August 2006 2010 →
All 15 seats in the Parliament of Tuvalu
First party   Party Independents Seats before 15
Prime Minister0000000 before election Maatia Toafa Subsequent Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia

The years before the elections 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

Constituency	Candidate	Votes	%	Notes
Funafuti	Kamuta Latasi	352	45.8	Re-elected
	Kausea Natano	340	44.4	Re-elected
	Emily Koepeke Lauti	39	5.0
	Iosefa Elisala	37	4.8
Nanumaga	Falesa Pitoi	335	39.0	Elected
	Otinielu Tausi	300	35.0	Re-elected
	Halo Tuavai	222	26.0
Nanumea	Maatia Toafa	397	28.6	Re-elected
	Willy Telavi	422	30.5	Elected
	Kokea Malua	298	21.5	Unseated
	Annie Homasi	234	16.8
	Langitupu Tuilimu	36	2.6
Niutao	Tomu Sione	416	33.0	Elected
	Tavau Teii	373	29.0	Re-elected
	Samuelu Teo	318	25.0
	Iopu Iupasi Kaisala	169	13.0
Nui	Iakoba Italeli	281	31.0	Elected
	Alesana Seluka	220	24.3	Elected
	Taom Tanukale	212	23.4
	Pakai Asaia	192	21.2
Nukufetau	Lotoala Metia	507	37.5	Elected
	Elisala Pita	430	31.8	Elected
	Saufatu Sopoanga	414	30.6
Nukulaelae	Namoliki Sualiki	109	42.1	Elected
	Bikenibeu Paeniu	65	25.1	Unseated
	Vaefitu Luke Paeniu	64	24.7
	Iefata Paeniu	21	8.1
Vaitupu	Apisai Ielemia	336	34.2	Re-elected
	Taukelina Finikaso	247	25.2	Elected
	Matanile Iosefa	224	22.8
	Eti Esela	173	17.6
	Leti Pelesala	2	0.2	Unseated
Source: Hassall, Psephos

Aftermath

See also: Ielemia Ministry

On 14 August 2006 Apisai Ielemia was elected prime minister; he had previously been a diplomat, clerk to parliament and senior civil servant.^[3] Kamuta Latasi was appointed the Speaker of 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]