2024 Tuvaluan general election

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2024 Tuvaluan general election
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Kausea Natano

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General elections were held in Tuvalu on 26 January 2024.[1][2][3][4] As there are no political parties in Tuvalu, all candidates run as independents.

Two major issues in the election were the Falepili Union treaty, which permits Australia veto power over Tuvalu's foreign security arrangements in exchange for allowing Tuvaluans displaced by climate change to immigrate to Australia and the country's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan within the context of great power competition between the United States and China for influence in the region.[5][6][7][8][9]

Background[edit]

The previous election, held in 2019, saw high turnover among the 16 members of parliament, seven of whom were first-term members. Several cabinet ministers lost their seats. There were two female candidates, and Dr. Puakena Boreham retained a seat in parliament.[10] In the vote for prime minister, held shortly after the election, parliament elected Kausea Natano, defeating the incumbent head of government Enele Sopoaga, who had served since 2013.[11][12] The defeat of Sopoaga, who was pro-Taiwan, caused some to speculate that the new prime minister would sever ties with Taipei in favour of China.[13] Fellow Pacific island country, the Solomon Islands, had made the switch days before.[14] However, Prime Minister Natano later assured that Tuvalu would maintain its diplomatic ties and recognition of Taiwan.[11] As of 2024, Tuvalu is one of only 12 countries that have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.[15]

Falepili Union treaty[edit]

In November 2023, Prime Minister Natano signed the Falepili Union treaty with Australia. A significant factor of the treaty grants a pathway for Tuvaluan citizens facing displacement from climate change to immigrate to Australia. In exchange, the agreement allows Australia veto power over Tuvalu's foreign security agreements.[16] Natano said the treaty was essential in preserving Tuvalu's identity.[17] However, former Prime Minister Sopoaga claimed the Falepili Union would undermine the country's sovereignty and vowed to repeal it should he head a government again after the election.[6][16] Sopoaga emphasised the sensitivity of conserving the sovereignty of the Pacific Island nations amidst a period where bigger countries, such as the United States and China, are competing for influence in the region. Former Foreign Minister Simon Kofe also criticised the treaty and pledged to renegotiate with Australia. Kofe highlighted Tuvalu's contracts with numerous international companies, including those that provide the country with satellite connections and questioned if it were necessary for Tuvalu to require Australia's permission to engage with such companies.[18]

Electoral system[edit]

The 16 members of parliament are elected from eight two-seat constituencies via plurality block voting.[11][19][20] As there are no formal political parties in Tuvalu, all candidates contest as independents.[18] Candidates are required to be Tuvaluan citizens and at least 21 years old. If, by the registration deadline, no more than two eligible candidates have registered to run in a constituency, these nominees are then, on that day, declared by law to be elected. Candidates have until the day before the election to withdraw if they wish to. All citizens aged 18 and older are eligible to vote; voting is not compulsory.[20][21] There are about 6,000 voters in this election.[22]

The Election[edit]

Voting began on 26 January 2024 at 8:00 local time (UTC+12:00), concluding at 16:00.[23] The elections officer said turnout was high as voting commenced.[24]

Six new MPs were elected to Tuvalu's 16-member parliament.[25] Significant changes to the composition of the parliament include the incumbent Prime Minister Kausea Natano, as well as Dr. Puakena Boreham – the only female member of the legislature – not retaining their seats.[25][26][27] The former Governor General Sir Iakoba Italeli Taeia was elected as an MP along with Feleti Teo, the former Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).[25][28]

Enele Sopoaga, the prime minister from 2013 to 2019, was re-elected in the Nukufetau electorate.[25] Former foreign minister Simon Kofe retained his seat in the Funafuti electorate.[27][7][28]

No candidates contested the sitting MPs Seve Paeniu, who was the finance minister, and Namoliki Sualiki in the electorate of Nukulaelae, so they were automatically returned to parliament.[25][24]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Notes
Funafuti Tuafafa Latasi 351 31.08 Elected
Simon Kofe 348 30.82 Re-elected
Kausea Natano 331 29.32 Unseated
Iosua Samasoni 53 4.70
Luke Paeniu 37 0.13
Jack Mataio Taleka 9 0.8
Nanumanga Monise Laafai 292 29.95 Re-elected
Hamoa Holona 265 27.18 Elected
Malofou Sopoaga 251 25.74
Kitiona Tausi 167 17.13 Unseated
Nanumea Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu 490 36.57 Re-elected
Timi Melei 296 22.09 Re-elected
Temetiu Maliga 246 18.34
Satini Manuella 178 13.28
Falasese Tupou 130 9.70
Niutao Feleti Penitala Teo 581 46.40 Elected
Saaga Talu Teafa 499 39.85 Re-elected
Sam Penitala Teo 172 13.74 Unseated
Nui Mackenzie Kiritome 352 36.90 Re-elected
Iakoba Italeli Taeia 311 32.60 Elected
Puakena Boreham 291 30.50 Unseated
Nukufetau Panapasi Nelesoni 408 27.05 Re-elected
Enele Sopoaga 402 26.65 Re-elected
Taimitasi Paelati 374 24.80
Nikolasi Apenelu 324 21.48
Nukulaelae Seve Paeniu - - Re-elected (uncontested)
Namoliki Sualiki - - Re-elected (uncontested)
Vaitupu Paulson Panapa 585 32.46 Elected
Maina Talia 448 24.86 Elected
Nielu Meisake 420 23.30 Unseated
Isaia Taape 349 19.36 Unseated

Aftermath[edit]

After the results are released, boats were sent to pick up winning candidates in order for them to assemble in the capital Funafuti,[29] although bad weather delayed their travel.[30] Election commissioner Tufoua Panapa said that the members of the new parliament would convene to vote for a prime minister, at a time notified by the governor general.[24]

Following his reelection, Seve Paeniu said that he would try and form a coalition among elected MPs to seek the position of prime minister.[22] Paeniu is open to reviewing Tuvalu's diplomatic ties and recognition of Taiwan, saying it is a matter of who “offers the greatest support to achieving Tuvalu’s development priorities and aspirations”.[31] Enele Sopoaga, another potential candidate for the role of prime minister, has stated his opposition to ending Tuvalu's diplomatic ties and recognition of Taiwan.[31][32]

Reactions[edit]

The Taiwanese foreign ministry said it understood that most of those elected “support the maintenance of the friendship between the two countries”, adding that it would pay close attention to post-election developments and continue to deepen friendship and cooperation with newly-elected MPs to ensure stable relations. Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said that the country looked forward to working with the new government.[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Elections: Tuvalu Parliament 2023". IFES Election Guide. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. ^ Srinivasan, Prianka (18 November 2023). "Stay or go? Offered a future away from home, Tuvalu's people face a painful choice". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Tuvalu Prepares for Democratic Transition with Upcoming Elections". BNN Breaking. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  4. ^ Marinaccio, Jess (29 November 2023). "Tuvalu's parliament debates the Falepili Union". Development Policy Centre. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  5. ^ Needham, Kirsty (24 January 2024). "Tuvalu expected to review Taiwan ties after election - minister". Reuters. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b Srinivasan, Prianka (25 January 2024). "Tuvalu election: what's happening, and what could it mean for Taiwan, China and the Pacific?". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". ABC News. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  8. ^ Jess Marinaccio; Graeme Smith (27 January 2024). "Tuvalu's Taiwan question". Development Policy Centre. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Voting begins in tiny Tuvalu in election that reverberates from China to Australia". World. NPR. Associated Press. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. 10 September 2019. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Election results". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Kausea Natano new PM of Tuvalu; Sopoaga ousted". Radio New Zealand. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  13. ^ Colin Packham & Jonathan Barrett (19 September 2019). "Tuvalu changes PM, adds to concerns over backing for Taiwan in Pacific". Reuters. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Tuvalu parliament picks new PM in potential blow for Taiwan". Al Jazeera. 19 September 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Tuvalu's prime minister reportedly loses his seat in crucial elections on the Pacific island nation". Associated Press. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  16. ^ a b Lewis, Lydia (29 November 2023). "Ex-Tuvalu PM running for office in 2024 will 'throw away' Falepili Treaty". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  17. ^ Lewis, Lydia (14 November 2023). "Australia-Tuvalu treaty is 'to maintain our identity', Kausea Natano says". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  18. ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (8 December 2023). "Tuvalu politician who stood in rising sea wants changes to Australia migration treaty". Reuters. Sydney. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Electoral system". archive.ipu.org. Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  20. ^ a b "Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Act". Act of 2008 (PDF). Parliament of Tuvalu. pp. 8, 10, 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan prime minister Kausea Natano loses seat in partial election results". The Guardian. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  23. ^ Foon, Eleisha (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu goes to the polls". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Haxton, Tiana (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu elections 2024: Strong voter turnout reported". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Tuvalu general election: Six newcomers in parliament". Radio New Zealand. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Tuvalu's Pro-Taiwan PM Kausea Natano Loses Seat, AFP Reports". Bloomberg.com. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  27. ^ a b Needham, Kirsty (27 January 2024). "Tuvalu's pro-Taiwan leader loses seat in national election". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  28. ^ a b Marinaccio, Jess (30 January 2024). "Tuvalu's 2024 general election: a new political landscape". PolicyDevBlog. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  29. ^ Foon, Eleisha (26 January 2024). "Tuvalu elections 2024: Strong voter turnout reported". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Tuvalu MPs stuck in outer islands due to bad weather". Radio New Zealand. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  31. ^ a b Michael E. Miller; Lily Kuo; Vic Chiang (1 February 2024). "China sets sights on Taiwan's three remaining tiny Pacific allies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  32. ^ Dziedzic, Stephen (4 February 2024). "Despite Beijing's attempts to 'lure' more support in the Pacific, Taiwan's top diplomat in Australia backs ties with Tuvalu". ABC News. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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