Parliamentary Election, 26 January 2024

Strom, February 2024

Throughout most of February 2024 a 3.2-meter tide inundated the Capital of Tuvalu, Funafuti. Tuvalu citizens were advised to remain indoors due to the threat of 4-meter waves swamping the island. Following the disaster in Funafuti, residents were witnessed wading through the waters as the floods engulfed many roads and homes (Needham, 2024). Not only did the tide pose a threat to the physical safety of residents, surviving residents were subject to abrupt power outages (Eliuta, 2024).  

From January through March, Tuvalu regularly experiences high tides and western winds from the cyclone season; however, climate change has exacerbated the season’s severity to the point where all nine islands that make up Tuvalu are sinking (Prete, 24). In correlation with the progression of climate change, over the past century, seasonal coastal flooding in Tuvalu rapidly intensified (Needham, 2024). Scientists predict that in 50 years the Nation’s capital, Funafuti, will be submerged and by 2100 the subsequent islands will be engulfed as well (Needham, 2024; Eliuta, 2024). 

Impact on electoral processes 

The General Election took place on 26 January 2024.  After the polls, the 16 newly elected members of parliament were due to decide who would become the next Prime Minister in order to form a new government. This vote was expected to take place in the capital, Funafuti, in early February but was postponed for two weeks because lawmakers from outer Islands were unable to travel to the capital to vote because of stormy weather and strong tides (Ragab, 2024; TOI World Desk, 2024; Pacific, 2024; TOI World Desk, 2024; Needham, 2024; RNZ News, 2024). Almost a month later, two MPs were still stuck on their home islands further delaying the process of forming a government (RNZ News, 2024).   

Changes in procedures  

In response to the delay, together, the Tuvalu Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Secretary of Government reviewed the constitution to craft a solution to limit the delay’s duration. Tuvalu election procedures forbid the election of the Prime Minister from lasting more than three weeks (Smith, 2024). To avoid exceeding the three-week mark, officials turned to the rising Government General to inquire about a potential hybrid model where some lawmakers would vote at the capital in person while others would vote virtually (Smith, 2024). Ultimately, because the weather improved during the second week of the delay, the proposal to host a hybrid election was struck down as lawmakers traveled to the capital and followed normal procedures (Smith, 2024).