Tuvaluan general election, 1981

General elections were held in Tuvalu on 8 September 1981. As there were no political parties, all 26 candidates for the 12 seats ran as independents. Voter turnout was 85.0%.

The first general election to the Parliament of Tuvalu or Palamene o Tuvalu after the independence of Tuvalu was not held until 8 September 1981. 26 candidates contested the 12 seats. Dr. Tomasi Puapua, was elected as prime minister with a 7:5 majority over the group a members of parliament headed by former Prime Minister Toaripi Lauti.

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