10 Sep 2019

Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament

7:24 am on 10 September 2019
Tuvalu's parliament building

Tuvalu's parliament building Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Jamie Tahana

Seven of Tuvalu's sixteen members of parliament will be newcomers.

The country went to the polls for its four-yearly election on Monday, with the results released late in the evening.

The incumbent prime minister, Enele Sopoaga, has been returned with a large majority in his home island of Nukufetau, but several of his ministers have been ousted.

Tuvalu's prime minister Enele Sopoaga speaking at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Funafuti. August 2019

Tuvalu's prime minister Enele Sopoaga speaking at the opening of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Funafuti. August 2019 Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

Among them are Satini Manuella, Taukelina Finikaso and Maatia Toafa.

The MP who filed a motion of no confidence against Mr Sopoaga in May, Isaia Taape, has also been returned.

Only one of the two women contesting were elected, the incumbent MP Puakena Boreham.

The new MPs will meet later this month in Funafuti to vote for who will become the new prime minister and speaker of parliament.

The results

Each of Tuvalu's eight districts elects two members of parliament. The elected members are marked in bold with the number of votes received, a * denotes a newly-elected member.

Nanumea:

Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu (603) *

Matia Toafa (219)

Satini Manuella (198)

Timi Melei (327) *

Tipelu Kauani (266)

Nanumaga:

1. Minute Taupo (361)*

2. Otinielu Tauteleimalae Tausi (284)

3. Monise Laafai (366)

Niutao:

Polikapo Teaukai (231)

Katepu Laoi (235)*

Sam P Teo (241)

Iopu Iupasi Kaisala (161)

Tavau Teii (119)

Itaia Lausaveve (155)

Tefiti Telaaka Malau (198)

Nui:

Puakena Boreham (274)

Mackenzie Kiritome (249)

Mataio Tekinene (239)

Sir Iakoba Taeia Italeli (219)

Leneuoti Peau Maatusi (119)

Simon Kofe

Simon Kofe Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Jamie Tahana

Funafuti:

Simon Kofe (374)

Kausea Natano (355)

Tuafafa Latasi (349)

Soloseni Penitusi (158)

Luke Paeniu (70)

Nukulaelae:

Bikenibeu Paeniu (99)

Luuni Tinilau (96)

Namoliki S Neemia (182)

Seve Paeniu (199)*

Nukufetau:

Afelee Falema Pita (273)

Enele Sopoaga (491)

Fatoga Talama (323) *

Valisi Alimau (285)

Vaitupu:

Isaia Taape (494)

Nielu Isake (642) *

Sam Panapa (323)

Taukelina Finakaso (425)

Isaia Taape

Isaia Taape Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Jamie Tahana