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General elections were held in Tuvalu on 26 March 1998. As there were no political parties, all candidates for the 12 seats ran as independents, with seven of the incumbents retaining their seats. Following the election, Bikenibeu Paeniu was re-elected Prime Minister.
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1998 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu
On 18 December 1997 the parliament was dissolved and the general election was held on 26 March 1998. During the election campaign, candidates from the incumbent government and the opposition traded allegations of sexual and financial misconduct. The result of the election was that 7 existing members were returned (including Bikenibeu Paeniu, Otinielu Tausi, Ionatana Ionatana, Tomasi Puapua and Dr. Alesana Seluka); 2 members of previous parliaments were elected (including Kokea Malua to represent Nanumea); and 3 new members were elected: Lagitupu Tuilimu to represent Nanumea; Rev. Teleke Peleti Lauti, to represent Funafuti; and Samuelu Teo to represent Niutao. The returning opposition MPs were Koloa Talake and Faimalaga Luka. Former Prime Minister Kamuta Latasi, who represented Funafuti, lost his seat.
Bikenibeu Paeniu was re-elected prime minister on 8 April 1998 with a 10:2 vote against Koloa Talake.
Paeniu announced his cabinet, Funafuti MP Ionatana Ionatana remained Minister for Health, Women and Community Affairs and Minister for Education and Culture. Ionatana had also been the Minister for Tourism, Trade and Commerce; this portfolio was given to Nui MP Alesana Kleis Seluka, who retained his former portfolio of Finance and Economic Planning. MP for Nanumaga, Otinielu Tausi was moved to the Ministry of Works, Energy and Communications. Nanumea MP Kokea Malua, who returned to parliament in the election, was appointed Minister for Natural Resources and the Environment as well as Home Affairs and Rural Development. Malua also was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. Tomu Sione was appointed as Speaker of the parliament.
Changes of prime minister
Bikenibeu Paeniu remained as prime minister until he resigned following the vote on a motion of no confidence on 27 April 1999. Ionatana Ionatana was elected as prime minister on 27 April 1999. He died on 8 December 2000. Lagitupu Tuilimu was acting prime minister from 8 December 2000 to 24 February 2001.
Faimalaga Luka became the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 23 February 2001. Luka's government lasted until December 2001, when he lost office as the consequence of a motion of no confidence. On 13 December 2001 the former finance minister Koloa Talake was appointed prime minister.