General elections were held in Tuvalu on 27 August 1977.[1] As there were no political parties, all candidates ran as independents, with Toaripi Lauti who had served as chief minister of the Colony of Tuvalu (1975–1978), was elected as the first prime minister following Tuvalu's independence. Voter turnout was 79%.
Following a 1974 referendum, the Ellice Islands separated from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The Tuvaluan Order 1975, which took effect on 1 October 1975, recognised Tuvalu as a separate British dependency with its own government. The second stage occurred on 1 January 1976 when separate administrations were created out of the civil service of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.[2]
A new House of Assembly was established with eight members. Prior to the 1977 elections, the number was increased to twelve. The four islands with a population of over 1,000 elected two members and the other four islands elected one member.[3]
^Dieter Nohlen, Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume II, p829 ISBN0-19-924959-8
^ abTito Isala, Hugh Larcy, ed. (1983). "Chapter 20, Secession and Independence". Tuvalu: A History. University of the South Pacific/Government of Tuvalu. pp. 169–173.
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