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General elections were held inNiue 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 theNiue 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
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 andmanagement of the election as Sioneholo's replacement. (Sioneholo won a seat in the Niue Legislative Assembly.)[5]
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 theNiue 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 newPremier of Niue.[4] She openly supportedToke Talagi's candidacy for the incoming prime ministership against current PremierYoung Vivian.[4]
One of the threeincumbent common assembly MPs who failed to be re-elected wasHima Douglas, formerHigh Commissioner to New Zealand, who was unseated by Niue's Secretary of JusticeTogia Sioneholo.[5][6] Two female candidates,Mahetoi Hekau andEsther Pavihi, were elected as new members thereby unseating two incumbent MPs,Michael Jackson and Krypton Okesene.[5]
In the capital and main village ofAlofi, challengerDalton Tagelagi easily defeated the incumbent member in theAlofi Southconstituency.[4]
Final results according to Acting Chief Electoral Officer Mr Hubert Kalauni:[7][8]
| Candidate | Votes | % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toke Talagi | 493 | 10.71 | Elected |
| Terry Coe | 464 | 10.08 | Elected |
| Togia Sioneholo | 355 | 7.71 | Elected |
| Esther Gustava Pavihi | 337 | 7.32 | Elected |
| Maihetoe Hekau | 332 | 7.21 | Elected |
| O'Love Jacobsen | 327 | 7.10 | Elected |
| Hima Douglas | 317 | 6.88 | |
| Joan Viliamu | 303 | 6.58 | |
| Krypton Okesene | 258 | 5.60 | |
| Sifaole Ioane | 250 | 5.43 | |
| Taumafai Fuhiniu | 194 | 4.21 | |
| Stan Atuvaha Kalauni | 185 | 4.02 | |
| Michael Jackson | 184 | 4.00 | |
| Robert Matua Rex | 145 | 3.15 | |
| Harkai Pihigia | 140 | 3.04 | |
| Eneletama Kaiuha | 116 | 2.52 | |
| Taso Tukuniu | 114 | 2.48 | |
| Togiavalu Pihigia | 91 | 1.98 | |
| Total | 4,605 | 100.00 |
| Constituency | Candidate | Votes | % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alofi North | Va'aiga Tukuitonga | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Alofi South | Dalton Tagelagi | 60 | 34.29 | Elected |
| Fakahoa Organ Viliko | 48 | 27.43 | ||
| Charlie Fuku Tongahai | 41 | 23.43 | ||
| Puleikitama Tasmania | 26 | 14.86 | ||
| Avatele | Billy Talagi | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Hakupu | Young Vivian | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Hikutavake | Opili Talafasi | 15 | 51.72 | Elected |
| Pamela Anne Tokiakona | 14 | 48.28 | ||
| Lakepa | Halene Kupa Magatogia | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Liku | Pokotoa Sipeli | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Makefu | Tofua Puletama | 24 | 60.00 | Elected |
| Vivaliatama Elesoni Talagi | 16 | 40.00 | ||
| Mutalau | Bill Vakaafi Motufoou | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Namukulu | Jack Willie Lipitoa | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Tamakautoga | Andrew Funaki | 52 | 63.41 | Elected |
| Muiakituki Makani | 30 | 36.59 | ||
| Toi | Dion Taufitu | 10 | 62.50 | Elected |
| Mokaelalini Vaha | 6 | 37.50 | ||
| Tuapa | Fisa Igilisi Pihigia | — | — | Elected unopposed |
| Vaiea | Talaititama Talaiti | — | — | Elected unopposed |
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 thepremiership had a clear majority.[9]
The highest polling candidate in the election, incumbent MPToke Talagi, stated he was considering to challengeYoung Vivian for the premier's post; caretaker Deputy PremierFisa 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.
