A constitutional referendum was held in
Tuvalu on 30 April 2008.[1] The referendum sought to
abolish the
monarchy of Tuvalu and establish the country as a
republic. Had the referendum passed, the new president would have been indirectly elected by the
Parliament of Tuvalu.
The referendum failed, with 679 votes in favour of establishing a republic and 1,260 votes to retain the monarchy.[2] As a consequence, Tuvalu remained a monarchy, and
Elizabeth II 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.[1] A
previous referendum on becoming a republic in 1986 was also rejected.
A constitutional referendum was held in
Tuvalu on 30 April 2008.[1] The referendum sought to
abolish the
monarchy of Tuvalu and establish the country as a
republic. Had the referendum passed, the new president would have been indirectly elected by the
Parliament of Tuvalu.
The referendum failed, with 679 votes in favour of establishing a republic and 1,260 votes to retain the monarchy.[2] As a consequence, Tuvalu remained a monarchy, and
Elizabeth II 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.[1] A
previous referendum on becoming a republic in 1986 was also rejected.