General elections were held in Tuvalu on 27 August 1977.Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p829 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 (1975–1978), was elected as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence. Voter turnout was 79%.
Background 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.
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.Tuvalu elections Pacific Islands Monthly, September 1977, p20
Results Minister Isakaia Paeniu lost his seat.Tuvalu elections Pacific Islands Monthly, October 1977, p18
Elected members ConstituencyMemberFunafutiToaripi LautiElia TavitaNanumagaNanumeaMotofoua FesoMaheu NaniseniNiutaoTepepe PapuaTomu SioneNuiSione Tui KleisNukufetauNukulaelaeHenry NaisaliVaitupuTomasi PuapuaTaui Finikaso
Aftermath Following the elections, Toaripi Lauti was elected as the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 1 October 1977. The House of the Assembly was renamed the Parliament of Tuvalu after independence in October 1978.
References