Aby-election was held in the Nukufetau constituency in Tuvalu as the consequence of the appointment of the opposition member of parliament Faimalaga Luka as the Governor-General of Tuvalu.
During his term as Prime MinisterofTuvalu, Saufatu Sopoanga experienced a shifting alliance of MPs who supported him, and there was also an opposition group against him. Both Sapoanga's group and the opposition group were plagued by defections; a series of by-elections also created uncertainty as to which side would emerge with a parliamentary majority.
The Sopoanga government lost its majority in May 2003, following the results of the 2003 Nanumea by-election and the 2003 Niutao by-election.[1] Amasone Kilei, the leader of the opposition, wrote to Sir Tomasi Puapua, the governor-general, on 10 May 2003 advising that he commanded the support of a majority of the members of parliament and they were ready to form a government. The leader of the opposition also commenced legal proceedings in the High Court of Tuvalu.[2]
Eventually Saufatu Sopoanga recalled parliament to meet in September 2003.[3] On 9 September Sopoanga arranged to appointed opposition MP Faimalaga Lukaasgovernor general to follow Sir Tomasi Puapua.[4][5] This appointment deprived the opposition of its crucial one-seat majority and triggering the Nukufetau by-election.
The winner of the October by-election, Elisala Pita, joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive into 2004.[6] The survival of the Sopoanga government has been described as resulting from his dexterous handling of the distribution of ministerial and other appointments.[7]
