Tuvaluan general election, 2002

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 25 July 2002. All candidates were independents, as there are no political parties in the country. Saufatu Sopoanga was appointed Prime Minister after the election as the previous Prime Minister Koloa Talake lost his seat.^[1]

2002 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu

The general election was held on 25 July 2002. There were 5,188 registered voters with the turnout on election date being 80% of voters. 39 candidates competed for the 15 parliamentary seats. Six members of the former parliament lost their seats including Prime Minister Koloa Talake and the Speaker, Tomu Sione.^[2] On 2 August 2002 Saufatu Sopoanga, who had been Minister of Finance in the previous administration, was elected Prime Minister.^[1]

Results

Candidates in boldface were elected.^[2]

Incumbents are indicated with *

Funafuti constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Kamuta Latasi *	373	38.4
	Non-partisan	Kausea Natano	364	37.4
	Non-partisan	Teleke Lauti	149	15.3
	Non-partisan	Elia Tavita	58	6
	Non-partisan	Loto Pasefika	28	2.9

Nanumaga constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Otinielu Tausi *	229	30.1
	Non-partisan	Namoto Kelisiano *	354	46.5
	Non-partisan	Fepuali Kiti	178	23.4

Nanumea constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Maatia Toafa	309	23
	Non-partisan	Sio Patiale	332	24.7
	Non-partisan	Lagitupu Tuilimu	162	12.1
	Non-partisan	Lopati T Lopati	161	12
	Non-partisan	Kokea Malua *	159	11.8
	Non-partisan	Houati Iele	129	9.6
	Non-partisan	Laina Teuea	89	6.6

Niutao constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Samuelu Teo *	317	26.5
	Non-partisan	Saloa Tauia	310	25.9
	Non-partisan	Tavau Teii	294	24.6
	Non-partisan	Sir Tomu Sione *	276	23.1

Nui constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Amasone Kilei *	319	41.4
	Non-partisan	Dr. Alesana Seluka *	258	33.5
	Non-partisan	Rurunteiti Kaiarake	194	25.2

Nukufetau constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Saufatu Sopoanga *	281	27
	Non-partisan	Faimalaga Luka *	230	22.1
	Non-partisan	Peneueta George	190	18.2
	Non-partisan	Petaia Meauma	150	14.4

Nukulaelae constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Bikenibeu Paeniu *	124	57.9
	Non-partisan	Aifou Tafia	61	28.5
	Non-partisan	Susana Semu	29	13.5

Vaitupu constituency results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Non-partisan	Apisai Ielemia	335	23
	Non-partisan	Leti Pelesala	185	12.7
	Non-partisan	Matanile Iosefa	175	12
	Non-partisan	Lise Talia	172	11.8
	Non-partisan	Teagai Esekia	149	10.2
	Non-partisan	Eti Esela	125	8.6
	Non-partisan	Ioane Malologa	123	8.4
	Non-partisan	Popu Asuelu	105	7.2
	Non-partisan	Koloa Talake *	85	5.8

Additional source: Adam Carr

Subsequent by-elections

The following by-elections were held during the 2002-2006 Parliament:^[3]

• Nanumea by-election, 2003
• Niutao by-election, 2003
• Nukufetau by-election, 2003
• Nukufetau by-election, 2004
• Nui by-election, 2005
• Nanumea by-election, 2005
• Nanumaga by-election, 2005

References

1. "Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2002. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
2. Cannon, Brian (26 July 2002). "Preliminary Election Results - P.M. Talake Voted Out". Tuvalu Online. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
3. Tuvalu News archives