2008 Niuean general election

General elections were held in Niue on 7 June, 2008.[1][2] They were initially expected to be held in April, but were delayed until June 2008.[3] Niue has a 20-member legislative assembly, called the Niue Assembly, whose members are elected by approximately 600 registered voters.[4] The assembly consists of 20 total members, 6 elected on a common roll and 14 representatives of the villages

2008 Niuean general election
7 June 2008
All 20 seats in the Assembly
10 seats needed for a majority
Politics of Niue
Dalton Tagelagi
Speaker: Hima Douglas

Election management

The election was managed and controlled by the Chief Electoral Officer, Togia Sioneholo, who is also the Secretary of the Niue Department of Justice, Lands and Survey. However, since Sioneholo was also a candidate, he had to go on leave as required by the Niue Public Service Regulations. Hubert Kalauni took over the control and management of the election as Sioneholo's replacement. (Sioneholo won a seat in the Niue Legislative Assembly.)[5]

Timetable
  • 22 May 2008 12pm - Closing of Nominations
  • 30 May 2008 12pm - Closing Withdrawal of Nominations
  • 28 May 2008 - Closing of Registration and Objection of Names in the Electoral Roll.
  • 7 June 2008 - Polling Day

Results

Only three of the six sitting common assembly members retained their seats in the general election.[4] O'Love Jacobsen, who has been a member of the Niue Legislative Assembly for twenty years and was re-elected, remarked that the election was a call for change by Niuean voters.[4] Jacobsen believed that the election would lead to a new government and a new Premier of Niue.[4] She openly supported Toke Talagi's candidacy for the incoming prime ministership against current Premier Young Vivian.[4]

One of the three incumbent common assembly MPs who failed to be re-elected was Hima Douglas, former High Commissioner to New Zealand, who was unseated by Niue's Secretary of Justice Togia Sioneholo.[5][6] Two female candidates, Mahetoi Hekau and Esther Pavihi, were elected as new members thereby unseating two incumbent MPs, Michael Jackson and Krypton Okesene.[5]

In the capital and main village of Alofi, challenger Dalton Tagelagi easily defeated the incumbent member in the Alofi South constituency.[4]

Common roll

Final results according to Acting Chief Electoral Officer Mr Hubert Kalauni:[7][8]

CandidateVotes%Notes
Toke Talagi49310.71Elected
Terry Coe46410.08Elected
Togia Sioneholo3557.71Elected
Esther Gustava Pavihi3377.32Elected
Maihetoe Hekau3327.21Elected
O'Love Jacobsen3277.10Elected
Hima Douglas3176.88
Joan Viliamu3036.58
Krypton Okesene2585.60
Sifaole Ioane2505.43
Taumafai Fuhiniu1944.21
Stan Atuvaha Kalauni1854.02
Michael Jackson1844.00
Robert Matua Rex1453.15
Harkai Pihigia1403.04
Eneletama Kaiuha1162.52
Taso Tukuniu1142.48
Togiavalu Pihigia911.98
Total4,605100.00

Constituencies
Niuean general election, 2008: Alofi North (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Va'aiga Tukuitonga Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Alofi South (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Dalton Tagelagi 60 34.3
Fakahoa Organ Viliko 48 27.4
Charlie Fuku Tongahai 41 23.4
Puleikitama Tasmania 26 14.9
Turnout 175
Niuean general election, 2008: Avatele (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Billy Graham Talagi Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Hakupu (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Young Vivian Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Hikutavake (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Opili Talafasi 15 51.7
Pamela Anne Tokiakona 14 48.3
Turnout 29
Niuean general election, 2008: Lakepa (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Halene Kupa Magatogia Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Liku (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Pokotoa Sipeli Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Makefu (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Tofua Puletama 24 60.0
Vivaliatama Elesoni Talagi 16 40.0
Turnout 40
Niuean general election, 2008: Mutalau (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Bill Vakaafi Motufoou Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Namukulu (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Jack Willie Lipitoa Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Tamakautiga (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Peter Funaki 52 63.4
Muiakituki Makani 30 36.6
Turnout 82
Niuean general election, 2008: Toi (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Dion Taufitu 10 62.5
Mokaelalini Vaha 6 37.5
Turnout 16
Niuean general election, 2008: Tuapa (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Fisa Pihigia Unopposed
Niuean general election, 2008: Vaiea (1 member)
Candidate Votes  % ±
Talaititama Talaiti Unopposed

Aftermath

Despite the fact that new members, including Togia Sioneholo, Mahetoi Hekau and Esther Pavihi,[5] were elected to the legislative assembly, no single candidate for the premiership had a clear majority.[9]

The highest polling candidate in the election, incumbent MP Toke Talagi, stated he was considering to challenge Young Vivian for the premier's post; caretaker Deputy Premier Fisa Pihigia stated he would also stand if Talagi decided to stand, as Pihigia considered himself to be better suited to fend off a challenge from Talagi than Vivian.[10]

Eventually, Talagi and Vivian stood for premier. Talagi was elected on Thursday, June 26, 2008, with fourteen votes to Vivian's five, with one abstaining.[11]

Atapana Siakimotu was returned unopposed as Speaker of the House.[12]

On Thursday 20 June 2008, Hon Premier Toke Talagi announced through TV Niue the other three members of his Cabinet of Ministers, Hon Pokotoa Sipeli, Hon Togia Sioneholo and Hon O'love Tauveve Jacobsen.

References
  1. "Official website of the Niuean government" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2008.
  2. "Niue Country Brief - April 2008", Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  3. "Niue election likely in April". Radio New Zealand International. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  4. "Longtime Niue MP says election turnover sign of mood for a change". RNZI. Island Business. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  5. "Surprise changes in Niue's elections". RNZI. 8 June 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008.
  6. Niue election results in the balance
  7. "Who are the Candidates?". Niue Business News. 30 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
  8. "Declaration of final result of poll for the Niue Legislative Assembly General Election Saturday 7 June 2008" (PDF). Niue Justice Department. 10 June 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  9. "Niue's leadership in the balance after latest poll". Radio New Zealand. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  10. "Niue's leadership in the balance after latest poll". Radio New Zealand International. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  11. "Talagi declared new Niue premier", ABC Radio Australia, June 19, 2008
  12. "New Premier Toke Talagi". Niue Business News. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
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