12 Aug 2010

Tuvalu Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow ahead of elections in five weeks

3:44 pm on 12 August 2010

Tuvalu's national parliament is to be dissolved tomorrow as it prepares for national elections on the 16th September.

The Pacnews agency reports Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia will lead a caretaker government for a month as candidates go into campaign mode for the 15 seats in parliament.

Registration for the poll begins on the 28th August.

A number of senior government officials have resigned from government to contest the elections.

Among them is former Tuvaluan diplomat and climate change negotiator, Enele Sopoanga.

He is currently the secretary for transport.

Last week, Mr Ielemia did not attend the annual Pacific Islands summit Vanuatu, saying he was preparing for the elections.