A constitutional referendum was held in Tuvalu on 30 April 2008. 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. 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. A previous referendum on becoming a republic in 1986 was also rejected.

2008 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum

Results

See also

1999 Australian republic referendum

2009 Vincentian constitutional referendum

References

2008 referendums

Constitutional referendum

Referendums in Tuvalu

Republicanism in Tuvalu

Law of Tuvalu

Constitutional referendums

Sovereignty referendums

Monarchy referendums

April 2008 events in Oceania

2008 Tuvaluan constitutional referendum