1977 Tuvaluan general election

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 27 August 1977.[1] As there were no political parties, all candidates ran as independents, with Toaripi Lauti who had served as chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu (1975–78), was elected as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence. Voter turnout was 79%.

1977 Tuvaluan general election

27 August 1977 1981 →

All 12 seats in the House of Assembly
  First party
 
Party Independents
Seats won 12

Chief Minister0000000 before election

Toaripi Lauti

Subsequent
Prime Minister

Toaripi Lauti

Background

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Following a 1974 referendum, the Ellice Islands separated from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government. The second stage occurred on 1 January 1976 when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.[2]

A new House of Assembly was established with eight members. Prior to the 1977 elections, the number was increased to twelve. The four islands with a population of over 1,000 elected two members and the other four islands elected one member.[3]

Results

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Minister Isakaia Paeniu lost his seat.[4]

PartyVotes%Seats
Independents12
Total12
Total votes2,256
Registered voters/turnout2,86278.83
Source: Nohlen et al.

Elected members

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Constituency Member
Funafuti Toaripi Lauti
Elia Tavita
Nanumaga
Nanumea Motofoua Feso
Maheu Naniseni
Niutao Tepepe Papua
Tomu Sione
Nui Sione Tui Kleis
Nukufetau
Nukulaelae Henry Naisali
Vaitupu Tomasi Puapua
Taui Finikaso

Aftermath

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Following the elections, Toaripi Lauti was elected as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 1 October 1977.[5] The House of the Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Tuvalu after independence in October 1978.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p829 ISBN 0-19-924959-8
  2. ^ Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy, ed. (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. p. 169.
  3. ^ Tuvalu elections Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1977, p20
  4. ^ Tuvalu elections Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1977, p18
  5. ^ Tito Isala, Hugh Larcy, ed. (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 169–173.
  6. ^ "Palamene o Tuvalu (Parliament of Tuvalu)" (PDF). Inter-Parliamentary Union. 1981. Retrieved 7 March 2013.