This is a list of by-elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu since the First Parliament in 1977, with the names of the incumbent and victor. There are no political parties in Tuvalu, but some by-elections enhanced or reduced a government's parliamentary majority. Where seats changed between factions at the election, the result is highlighted: light grey for a pro-government gain, dark grey for an opposition gain.
The information for this article dates from 1997 onwards. Information on earlier by-elections is not presently available.
This list is correct as of May 2019.
First Parliament (1977-1981) No information known at present.
Second Parliament (1981-1985) No information known at present.
Third Parliament (1985-1989)
Fourth Parliament (1989-1993) No information known at present.
Fifth Parliament (1993) No information known at present.
Sixth Parliament (1993-1998) Information incomplete. No known by-elections in 1997 or 1998.
Seventh Parliament (1998-2002) Information incomplete.
The Electoral Provisions (Parliament) Act of Tuvalu was amended in May 2000 to increase the membership of parliament from 12 to 15 MPs. Special elections were held in November 2000 to fill the new positions. The following 3 MPs attended their first parliamentary session on 7 December 2000. Namoto Kelisiano, representing Nanumaga Amasone Kilei, representing Nui Saufatu Sopoanga, representing Nukufetau
Eighth Parliament (2002-2006)
Ninth Parliament (2006-2010) No known by-elections.
Tenth Parliament (2010-2015)
In the 2011 Nui by-election Pelenike Isaia, the widow of Isaia Italeli who had died in July 2011, was elected by the constituency of Nui. Pelenike Isaia becoming the second woman to enter the Parliament of Tuvalu. Although there are no political parties in Tuvalu, Members of Parliament align themselves with the government or with the opposition, and Italeli's death had resulted in prime minister Willy Telavi's government losing its one-seat majority in parliament. The by-election was thus highly important to the government's survival.
The 2013 Nukufetau by-election was due to the death of finance minister Lotoala Metia in December 2012. The government delayed the by-election for six months, despite protests from the Opposition. When the Chief Justice of the High Court of Tuvalu ordered that it be held, it was won comfortably by opposition candidate Elisala Pita.
A constitution crisis developed as Willy Telavi refused to re-call parliament as he argued that the Constitution of Tuvalu only required parliament to be summonsed once a year and so that he had until December 2013 to call parliament. The governor-general Iakoba Italeli then proceeded to exercise his reserve powers to order Mr Telavi's removal and the appointment of Enele Sopoaga as interim prime minister. The Governor General also ordered that Parliament sit on Friday 2 August to allow a vote of no-confidence in Mr Telavi and his government. Telavi then proceeding to write to Queen Elizabeth II (as the head of state of Tuvalu) informing her that he was dismissing Mr Italeli from his position as governor-general.
On Friday 2 August Willy Tevali faced a motion of no confidence, the voting was eight for the motion, four against and one abstention - the speaker abstained from voting on the motion. On Sunday 4 August the parliament elected Enele Sopoaga as prime minister;
During the parliamentary crisis Taom Tanukale, the health minister, resigned from parliament (and thus also from the government). The 2013 Nui by-election was held on 10 September. The government of Enele Sopoaga had a majority of two going into the by-election. Leneuoti Maatusi was declared the winner, polling 297 of the 778 registered voters. Maatusi has been a civil servant and served as the Secretary of the Nui Falekaupule. He beat Palemene Anelu, a recent graduate of the University of the South Pacific, who received 206 votes and Taom Tanukale, the sitting member, whose resignation from parliament caused the by-election, who received 160 votes. After the by-election Leneuoti Maatusi committed to support prime minister Enele Sopoaga.