Parliamentary Election, 26 January 2024

Tropical storm, January–March 2024 

Throughout most of February 2024, a 3.2-metre tide inundated the Capital of Tuvalu, Funafuti. Citizens were advised to remain indoors due to the threat of 4-metre 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 2024b). The flood posed a threat to physical safety both directly and by causing 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 that all nine islands are sinking (Prete 24). In correlation with the progression of climate change, over the past century seasonal coastal flooding in Tuvalu rapidly intensified (Needham 2024b). Scientists predict that in 50 years sea level rise will have submerged Funafuti and by 2100 the other islands will be submerged also (Needham 2024a; Eliuta 2024). In response, Tuvalu and Australia have entered the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union which enables Tuvaluan citizens to migrate to Australia and evacuate flooding regions (Needham 2024b; Eliuta 2024).  

Impact on the electoral process  

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. This vote was expected to take place in the capital, Funafuti, in early February but was postponed for two weeks because stormy weather and strong tides prevented law makers from travelling from outer islands to vote (Ragab 2024; TOI 2024;Needham, 2024b; RNZ 2024a). The last four MPs arrived in the capital on 21–22 February (RNZ 2024b).   

In response to the delay, the Tuvalu Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Secretary of Government had together reviewed the constitution to craft a solution. Tuvalu election procedures forbid the election of the Prime Minister to last more than three weeks (Smith 2024). Officials turned to the rising Government General to inquire about a potential hybrid model where some law makers 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 was struck down and normal procedures were followed (Smith 2024).