General elections were held in Tuvalu on 25 July 2002. All candidates were independents, as there were 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.
Campaign A total of 39 candidates contested the 15 seats. There were 5,188 registered voters.
Results Six members of the former parliament lost their seats including Prime Minister Koloa Talake and the Speaker, Tomu Sione.
ConstituencyCandidateVotes%NotesFunafutiKamuta Latasi37338.4Re-electedKausea Natano36437.4ElectedTeleke Lauti14915.3Elia Tavita586.0Loto Pasefika282.9NanumagaNamoto Kelisiano35446.5Re-electedOtinielu Tausi22930.1Re-electedFepuali Kiti17823.4NanumeaSio Patiale33224.7ElectedMaatia Toafa30923.0ElectedLagitupu Tuilimu16212.1Lopati T Lopati16112.0Kokea Malua15911.8UnseatedHouati Iele1299.6Laina Teuea896.6NiutaoSamuelu Teo31726.5Re-electedSaloa Tauia31025.9ElectedTavau Teii29424.6Tomu Sione27623.1UnseatedNuiAmasone Kilei31941.4Re-electedAlesana Seluka25833.5Re-electedRurunteiti Kaiarake19425.2NukufetauSaufatu Sopoanga28127.0Re-electedFaimalaga Luka23022.1Re-electedPeneueta George19018.2Petaia Meauma15014.4NukulaelaeBikenibeu Paeniu12457.9Re-electedAifou Tafia6128.5Susana Semu2913.5VaitupuApisai Ielemia33523.0ElectedLeti Pelesala18512.7ElectedMatanile Iosefa17512.0Lise Talia17211.8Teagai Esekia14910.2Eti Esela1258.6Ioane Malologa1238.4Popu Asuelu1057.2Koloa Talake855.8UnseatedSource: Tuvalu Online, Psephos
Aftermath On 2 August 2002 Saufatu Sopoanga, who had been Minister of Finance in the previous government, was elected prime minister.
Subsequent by-elections
Several by-elections were held during the 2002–2006 Parliament: 2003 Nanumea by-election 2003 Niutao by-election 2003 Nukufetau by-election 2004 Nukufetau by-election 2005 Nui by-election 2005 Nanumea by-election 2005 Nanumaga by-election
References