1975 Niuean general election

General elections were held in Niue on 26 April 1975.[1]

1975 Niuean general election

← 1972 26 April 1975 1978 →

All 20 seats in the Assembly
10 seats needed for a majority

Premier before election

Robert Rex
Independent

Elected Premier

Robert Rex
Independent

Background

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The new constitution approved in a 1974 referendum provided for a 21-member Assembly consisting of a Speaker and 20 elected members. Fourteen of the members were elected from single-member constituencies based on the 14 villages, and six from an island-wide constituency.[2]

Campaign

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A total of 15 candidates contested the island-wide seats.[3] Eleven of the fourteen village constituencies had only one candidate, who was returned unopposed.[3]

Results

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Two women were elected, becoming the first female members of the Assembly. One was Patricia Rex, wife of Leader of Government Business Robert Rex.[3] Two of Rex's other relatives running in the election (his son Robert and uncle Leslie) were unsuccessful.[3]

Constituency Elected members
Alofi North
Alofi South Robert Rex
Avatele
Hakupu Young Vivian
Hikutavake
Island-wide Lapati Paka
Patricia Rex
Tahafa Pope Talagi
Papani Tanu
Togakilo
Togia Viviani
Lakepa
Liku
Makefu
Mutalau Don Vilitama
Namukulu
Tamakautoga
Toi
Tuapa
Vaiea
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

Aftermath

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When the newly elected Assembly met five days after the election, Sam Pata Emani Tagelagi was reappointed as Speaker.[3]

Robert Rex was elected Premier and reappointed the three incumbent ministers to the cabinet, Enetama Lipitoa, Frank Lui and Young Vivian.[3]

Portfolio Cabinet member
Premier, Customs, Emigration, Finance, Immigration, Information, Police, Prisons, Transport Robert Rex
Agriculture, Economic Development, Education Young Vivian
Health, Justice, Lands, Local Government Affairs, Radio Enetama Lipitoa
Electricity, Fisheries, Forests, Tourism, Works Frank Lui
Source: Pacific Islands Monthly

References

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  1. ^ New Zealand Foreign Affairs Review, Volume 25 p44
  2. ^ Niue elections Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p13
  3. ^ a b c d e f No Rex dynasty for Niue Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1975, p9