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General elections were held in Niue on 26 April 1975. [1]
Background
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
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
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
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
- ^ New Zealand Foreign Affairs Review, Volume 25 p44
- ^ Niue elections Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1975, p13
- ^ a b c d e f No Rex dynasty for Niue Pacific Islands Monthly, June 1975, p9
