A constitutional referendum was held in
Tuvalu
Tuvalu ( or ; formerly known as the Ellice Islands) is an island country and microstate in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Its islands are situated about midway between Hawaii and Australia. They lie east-northea ...
on 30 April 2008.
["Tuvaluans vote against republic"]
Tuvalu News, April 30, 2008 The referendum sought to
abolish the
monarchy of Tuvalu
The monarchy of Tuvalu is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Tuvalu. The current Tuvaluan monarch and head of state since 8 September 2022, is King Charles III. As sovereign, he is the per ...
and establish the country as a
republic
A republic () is a " state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th ...
. Had the referendum passed, the new president would have been indirectly elected by the
Parliament of Tuvalu
The Parliament of Tuvalu (called ''Fale i Fono'' in Tuvaluan, or ''Palamene o Tuvalu'') is the unicameral national legislature of Tuvalu. The place at which the parliament sits is called the ''Vaiaku maneapa''. The ''maneapa'' on each island is ...
.
The referendum failed, with 679 votes in favour of establishing a republic and 1,260 votes to retain the monarchy.
"Tuvalu votes to maintain monarchy"
Radio Australia, 17 June 2008 As a consequence, Tuvalu remained a monarchy, and Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states durin ...
remained head of state. Turnout for the referendum was low. Only 1,939 voters cast valid ballots, out of the approximately 9,000 voting-aged Tuvaluans. In comparison, 8,501 votes were cast in the 2006 parliamentary election.[ A previous referendum on becoming a republic in 1986 was also rejected.
]
Results
See also
*1999 Australian republic referendum
The Australian republic referendum held on 6 November 1999 was a two-question referendum to amend the Constitution of Australia. The first question asked whether Australia should become a republic with a President appointed by Parliament foll ...
*2009 Vincentian constitutional referendum
A constitutional referendum was held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 25 November 2009. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution which would have replaced the constitution in force since independence in 1979. The propos ...
References
2008 referendums
Constitutional referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
Referendums in Tuvalu
Republicanism in Tuvalu
Law of Tuvalu
Constitutional referendums
Sovereignty referendums
Monarchy referendums
April 2008 events in Oceania
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