Nukufetau by-election, 2003

A by-election was held in the Nukufetau constituency in Tuvalu as the consequence of the appointment of the opposition member of parliament Faimalaga Luka as the Governor-General of Tuvalu.

Context

During his term as Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Saufatu Sopoanga experienced a shifting alliance of MPs who supported him, and there was also an opposition group against him. Both Sapoanga's group and the opposition group were plagued by defections; a series of by-elections also created uncertainty as to which side would emerge with a parliamentary majority.

The Sopoanga government lost its majority in May 2003, following the results of the Nanumea by-election, 2003 and the Niutao by-election, 2003.[1] Amasone Kilei, the leader of the opposition, wrote to Sir Tomasi Puapua, the governor-general, on 10 May 2003 advising that he commanded the support of a majority of the members of parliament and they were ready to form a government. The leader of the opposition also commenced legal proceedings in the High Court of Tuvalu.[2]

Eventually Saufatu Sopoanga recalled parliament to meet in September 2003.[3] On 9 September Sopoanga arranged to appointed opposition MP Faimalaga Luka as governor general to follow Sir Tomasi Puapua.[4][5] This appointment deprived the opposition of its crucial one-seat majority and triggering the Nukufetau by-election.

Result

The winner of the October by-election, Elisala Pita, joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive into 2004.[6] The survival of the Sopoanga government has been described as resulting from his dexterous handling of the distribution of ministerial and other appointments.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Hassall, Graham (2006). "The Tuvalu General Election 2006". Democracy and Elections project, Governance Program, University of the South Pacific. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Amasone v Attorney General [2003] TVHC 4; Case No 24 of 2003 (6 August 2003)". PACLII. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Tuvalu PM Arranges for Recall of Parliament", Radio Australia, 26 August 2003
  4. ↑ Lansford, Tom (2015). Political Handbook of the World 2015. CQ Press.
  5. ↑ Craig, Robert D. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press.
  6. ↑ "New Member of Parliament in Tuvalu", Radio Australia, 13 October 2003
  7. ↑ Paulson Panapa & Jon Fraenkel (2008). "The Loneliness of the Pro-Government Backbencher and the Precariousness of Simple Majority Rule in Tuvalu" (PDF). Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
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