List of Tuvalu MPs, 2015–2019

This is a list of members of the Parliament of Tuvalu or Palamene o Tuvalu who were elected at the 2015 Tuvaluan general election[1] or as the result of by-elections during the life of the parliament.

There are no formal parties in Tuvalu. The political system is based on personal alliances and loyalties derived from clan and family connections.[2] The Parliament of Tuvalu is rare among national legislatures in that it is non-partisan in nature. It does tend to have both a distinct government and a distinct opposition.[2]

Main articles: Politics of Tuvalu and Elections and political parties in Tuvalu

The general election was held in Tuvalu on 31 March 2015.[3][4][5] The state of emergency created by Cyclone Pam resulted in the election being delayed twice. The election was originally scheduled for 19 March,[6] then after Cyclone Pam caused damage to the islands, the election was rescheduled.[7]

The constituencies of Niutao and Nui had contested ballots, including former members of parliament as candidates.[8][9] On Nui the sitting members were not returned to parliament.[10] On Nuitao Vete Sakaio, the deputy-prime minister, was not elected; the election was otherwise a good result for the government of Enele Sopoaga,[11] who expects to have the support of 11 members of parliament.[12] Enele Sopoaga was sworn in as prime minister and appointed the ministers to the cabinet on 10 April.[13][14][15]

Members elected for the first time at the 2015 general election are noted with *

Name  | National party  | Constituency  | # Notes

|
|
|

Taukelina Finikaso |  Independent | Vaitupu |
Apisai Ielemia |  Independent | Vaitupu | The High Court declared that Ielemia was not qualified to be a member of parliament.
Isaia Vaipuna Taape *  |  Independent | Vaitupu | Elected at the Vaitupu by-election.
Monise Lafai |  Independent | Nanumaga |
Otinielu Tausi |  Independent | Nanumaga | Elected Speaker of the Parliament of Tuvalu.
Sir Kamuta Latasi |  Independent | Funafuti | Sir Kamuta Latasi resigned as MP on 17 October 2018.
Simon Kofe *  |  Independent | Funafuti | Kofe was elected at the Funafuti by-election on 20 November 2018.
Kausea Natano |  Independent | Funafuti |
Fauoa Maani |  Independent | Niutao |
Samuelu Teo *  |  Independent | Niutao |
Elisala Pita |  Independent | Nukufetau | Elected unopposed
Enele Sopoaga |  Independent | Nukufetau | Elected unopposed
Namoliki Sualiki |  Independent | Nukulaelae | Elected unopposed
Mackenzie Kiritome *  |  Independent | Nui |
Puakena Boreham *  |  Independent | Nui |
Satini Manuella |  Independent | Nanumea |
Maatia Toafa |  Independent | Nanumea |

## Vaitupu by-election, 2017

[edit]

Apisai Ielemia was elected to represent Vaitupu in the Tuvaluan general election, 2015. On 5 October 2016 Chief Justice Sweeney of the High Court of Tuvalu declared that Ielemia's parliamentary seat was vacant as he was no longer qualified to be a member of parliament, as the consequence of the short time the opposition MP served time in jail following his conviction on 6 May 2016 in the Magistrate's Court of charges of abuse of office during the final year of his term as Prime Minister (August 2006 to September 2010).[16]

The Vaitupu by-election was held on 17 July 2017. Isaia Vaipuna Taape was elected with about half the 1,100 votes, 41 votes ahead of Melton Paka Tauetia.[17] Taape was sworn in as a member of parliament for Vaitupu on Wednesday 16 August 2017.[18]

## Funafuti by-election, 2018

[edit]

Sir Kamuta Latasi resigned as MP on 17 October 2018. A by-election was held on 20 November 2018, with Simon Kofe, a former senior magistrate, being elected.[19]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pua Pedro & Semi Malaki (1 April 2015). "Special Election Issue" (PDF). Fenui News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
2. ^ a b Hassall, Graham (2006). "The Tuvalu General Election 2006". Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
3. ^ D’Unienville, Yvette (31 March 2015). "Tuvalu go to polls". Fenui News. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
4. ^ "Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 2 (as of 30 March 2015)". Relief Web. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
5. ^ "Tuvalu elections to take place on Tuesday". Radio New Zealand. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
6. ^ "Two unopposed seats for Tuvalu election". Radio New Zealand. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
7. ^ "Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 1 (as of 22 March 2015)". Relief Web. 22 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
8. ^ "Candidates for 2015 General Election". Fenui News. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
9. ^ "Candidates for General Election for Nui Electoral District". Fenui News. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
10. ^ "2015 General Election Results". Fenui News. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
11. ^ "Election looks set to return Sopoaga as Tuvalu's PM". Radio New Zealand. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
12. ^ "Sopoaga expects be sworn in as Tuvalu PM". Radio New Zealand. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
13. ^ "Cabinet position could await new Tuvalu MP". Radio New Zealand. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
14. ^ Malaki, Semi (16 April 2015). "Prime Minister Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga named his Cabinet (Election Special No. 3)". Fenui News. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
15. ^ "Cabinet of Tuvalu, 2015". Fenui News. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
16. ^ Pareti, Samisoni. "Tuvalu demonstrate against top judge, former PM seeks re-election in Vaitupu seat". PINA/ISLANDS BUSINESS/PACNEWS. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
17. ^ "Isaia Taape wins bye-election", Pacific Islands News Association, 20 July 2017
18. ^ "Honourable Isaia Vaipuna Taape sworn in". Fenui News. 16 August 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
19. ^ "Mr. Simon Kofe wins Funafuti bye-election". Fenui News. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

Preceded by

List of Tuvalu MPs, 2010–2015

|  Parliament of Tuvalu
2015-2019  | Succeeded by

List of Tuvalu MPs, 2019–2024

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