General elections were held in Niue on 30 May 2020 for the 20 members of the Niue Assembly. The election resulted in the defeat of Premier Toke Talagi, who lost his seat. Fifteen incumbents were re-elected, including three who were unopposed. In Mutalu, a tie between two candidates resulted in one being elected by a coin toss.

Following the elections the Assembly elected Dalton Tagelagi as Premier.

Electoral system The 20 members of the Assembly are elected by two methods; 14 are elected from single-member consistencies using first-past-the-post voting and six are elected from a single nationwide constituency by multiple non-transferable vote.Niue IFES There are currently no political parties. After the election, the Members of the Assembly elect a Speaker of the Assembly from outside parliament, and a Premier, who must be an MP. The Premier then chooses a Cabinet.

Campaign A total of 54 candidates contested the elections, of which 26 contested the six common roll seats. All twenty incumbents sought re-election. Three candidates – Mona Ainuu in Tuapa, Enetama Lipitoa in Namukulu and Talaititama Talaiti in Vaiea – were elected unopposed.Niue Election 2020 – Prelim List Tala Niue, 14 May 2020 One of the candidates was former New Zealand MP and mayor of Wellington Mark Blumsky, who had become a naturalised Niuean citizen after ten years' residence.

Results The Premier Toke Talagi, in office for the previous twelve years, lost his seat, finishing tenth in the six-seat common roll constituency.Premier of Niue loses seat in election Radio New Zealand, 1 June 2020 Five of the elected members were new to the Assembly. After a draw in Mutalau, the result was decided by a coin toss.

The results of the election reduced the number of women in the Assembly dropped from 5 to 3, with only one woman in cabinet, Mona Ainuu.

In a secret ballot, the Assembly elected Dalton Tagelagi as Premier in a 13-7 vote against O'Love Jacobsen, and Hima Douglas was elected Speaker on the third ballot. The new Cabinet was announced on June 11.

Common roll

By constituency +Results for constituencies Constituency Candidate Votes % Results Alofi North Va'aiga Tukuitonga 3750.7 Tutuli Heka 3649.3 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total73100 Alofi South Dalton Tagelagi 10850.9 Charles Togahai 6329.7 Laga Lavini 4119.3 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total212100 Avatele Pita Vakanofiti 3039.5 Atapana Siakimotu 2431.6 Hetututama Hetutu 2228.9 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total76100Hakupu Richie Mautama 5246.0 Michael Jackson 3530.1 Unseated Fapoi Akesi 2623.0 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total113100Hikutavake Opili Talafasi 1456 Pamela Togiakona 1144 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total25100Lakepa John Operator Tiakia 3777.1 Halene Kupa Magatogia 1122.9 Unseated Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total48100Liku Pokotoa Sipeli 3667.9 Sionetasi Pulehetoa 1732.1 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total53100Makefu Tofua Puletama 2863.6 Mary Anne Talagi 1636.4 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total44100Mutalau Makaseau Ioane 2650 Maureen Melekitama 2650 Unseated Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total52100Namukulu Jack Willie Lipitoa - - Tamakautoga Ricky Makani 5768.7 Peter Funaki 2631.3 Unseated Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total83100Toi Dion Taufitu 1568.2 Heketoa Kaulima 731.8 Blank or invalid votes 0 – Total22100Tuapa Mona Ainu'u - - Vaiea Talaititama Talaiti - -

See also 17th Niue Assembly

References