Premier
Parliamentary
CountryNiue
Previous year2020
Previous election2020 Niuean general election
Election date29 April 2023
Next year2026
Next election2026 Niuean general election
Seats for electionAll 20 members of the Niue Assembly
Majority seats11
Before electionDalton Tagelagi
After electionDalton Tagelagi
Before partyIndependent politician
After partyIndependent politician
Outgoing membersoutgoing members
Elected memberselected members

General elections were held in Niue on 29 April 2023.[1] The elections were originally planned to be held early, in late February or early March.[2] Eight new MPs and six women were elected.

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.[3] 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.

In 2023, the candidate nomination fee was increased from NZ$11 to NZ$200.[4]

Campaign

A total of 42 candidates contested the election, of which 17 contested the six common roll seats.[1]

Results

Three of the common-roll seats went to newcomers, with the initial results indicating that the final seat would be decided by a coin-toss.[5][6] The final results on 3 May did not show a tie, with Sonya Talagi winning the last seat on the common roll by two votes.[7]

Six candidates, including Premier Dalton Tagelagi, were elected unopposed.[8] Six women were elected.[9] Three sitting MPs were unseated.[10]

In a secret ballot, the Assembly re-elected Dalton Tagelagi as Premier in a 16-4 vote against O'Love Jacobsen.[11] Tagelagi appointed his Cabinet on 12 May, the first gender-balanced Cabinet in Niuean history.[12][13]

Common roll

By constituency

CandidateASTAMAAVTLVaieaHKPLikuLKPMTLToiHIKUNAMUTuapaMKFAN
Crossley Tatui90403098426163110122171725
Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui1252126162924201410111241657
Sinahemana Hekau10830217344322241093171841
Billy Talagi774555102828201128144829
O'Love Jacobsen98442520272419171080241434
Sonya Talagi703025114021212713145421330
Birtha Lisimoni-Togahai8331421472022221085241134
Terry Coe862730221619241212144211432
Fapoi Akesi402423128522321055519922
Tamuta Utalo541714315262620139191412
Togia Sioneholo47131502551217884191222
Victoria Posimani-Kalauni31171121089256834498
Julie Sophai S M T Talagi-Funaki631517217813825051320
Ettie Lotomaanu P Pasene-Mizziebo7111931811943716723
Charlie J K Tohovaka291118112141016530151714
Mark Blumsky33159179121397208321
Fisa Igilisi Pihigia16871711570113823
Invalid34122202230232
Spoilt30011100100222
Total votes2097969269359524924256683882
Registered276938840128787681313568850100
Source: Chief Electoral Officer

Constituencies

Results for constituencies[5][8]
ConstituencyCandidateVotes%Results
Alofi NorthTutuli Heka3544.87
Alan Puleoti2633.33
Stanley Frederick Tafatu1721.79
Blank or invalid votes22.56
Total78
Alofi SouthDalton Tagelagi
AvatelePita Vakanofiti2840.58
Hetututama Hetutu2637.68
Ketiligi Saniteli Fereti1318.84
Blank or invalid votes22.90
Total69
HakupuRichie Mautama
HikutavakeIan Hipa937.50
Masiniholo Lagaloga520.83
Opili Talafasi833.33Unseated
Blank or invalid votes28.33
Total24
LakepaRhonda Tiakia Tomailuga3567.31
Shield Palahetogia1630.77
Blank or invalid votes11.92
Total52
LikuLogopati Seumanu3154.39
Sionetasi Pulehetoa2645.61
Blank or invalid votes00.00
Total57
MakefuTofua Puletama2261.11
Tioneatali Kemusiaki Lolani1438.89
Blank or invalid votes00.00
Total36
MutalauMaureen Melekitama2959.18
Makaseau Ioane1836.73Unseated
Blank or invalid votes24.08
Total49
NamukuluSione Sionetuato
TamakautogaRicky Makani4660.52
Peter Funaki2532.89
Blank or invalid votes56.58
Total76
ToiDion Taufitu
TuapaMona Ainuu
VaieaTalaititama Talaiti

See also

References

  1. ^ "Candidate list for Niue General Election released". RNZ. 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Niue Premier indicates an early general election in 2023". Island Business. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Niue". IFES Election Guide
  4. ^ Pavihi (March 2023). "New changes in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections including $200 candidates nomination fee". TV Niue. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  5. ^ Pavihi (30 April 2023). "Several new members will be sworn in to the 18th Niue Legislative Assembly after the general election yesterday". TV Niue. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. ^ Manukuo (1 May 2023). "Final seat in Niuean elections to be decided by hat-draw". Pacific Media Network. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  7. ^ Pavihi (3 May 2023). "Sonya Talagi duly elected 6th Common Roll Member, while Lisimoni-Togahai has filed petition for a recount". TV Niue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  8. ^ Pavihi (14 April 2023). "List of candidates for the 2023 General Elections released; Tagelagi duly elected with 5 others". TV Niue. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Six women MPs voted into Niue's parliament". RNZ. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  10. ^ Pavihi (1 May 2023). "Two long serving MPs Terry Coe and Opili Talafasi will not be returning to the next Niue Legislative Assembly". TV Niue. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Dalton Tagelagi re-elected premier of Niue". RNZ. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Dalton Tagelagi forms Niue's first gender-balanced Cabinet". RNZ. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  13. ^ Pavihi (12 May 2023). "Premier Tagelagi announce first gender- balanced Cabinet". TV Niue. Retrieved 15 May 2023.