consequence of a motion of no confidence. On 13 December 2001 Koloa Talake was appointed prime minister. Talake lost his seat in parliament at the 2002 general election. 2002 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu The general election was held on 25 July 2002. There were 5,188 registered voters with the turnout on election date being 80% of voters. 39 candidates competed for the 15 parliamentary seats (the parliament had been increased from 12 to 15 elected members in 2000). Six members of the former parliament lost their seats including prime minister Koloa Talake, 3 cabinet ministers and the Speaker, Tomu Sione. On 2 August 2002 Saufatu Sopoanga, who had been minister of finance in the previous administration, was elected prime minister; winning the vote against Amasone Kilei (8:7). Saloa Tauia was appointed the speaker, although he died in February 2003. The Sopoanga government lost its majority in May 2003, following the results of the 2003 Nanumea by-election and the 2003 Niutao by-election. The opposition took legal action in an attempt to force Sopoanga to recall parliament. Sopoanga recalled parliament to meet in September, On 9 September Sopoanga arranged to appointed opposition MP Faimalaga Luka as governor general, depriving the opposition of its crucial one-seat majority and triggering the 2003 Nukufetau by-election. The winner of the October by-election, Elisala Pita, joined the government's benches, enabling it to survive into 2004. The Sopoanga government was eventually brought down by an eight-to-six motion of no confidence in August 2004. Two government members, Elisala Pita and Otinielu Tausi, crossed the floor to vote against Sopoanga. On 25 August 2004 Saufatu Sopoanga resigned as prime minister and member of parliament. A by-election was held on 7 October 2004 and Saufatu Sopoanga regained his seat. Maatia Toafa was elected prime minister on 11 October 2004 with a vote of 8:7; and Saufatu Sopoanga became deputy prime minister and minister for works, transport and communication. Maatia Toafa remained PM until the 2006 general election. 2006 elections to the Parliament of Tuvalu The general election was held on 3 August 2006. There were 5,765 eligible voters on the electoral roll. 32 candidates, including 2 women, competed for the 15 seats. Maatia Toafa was re-elected to his seat in parliament; however all his cabinet members were defeated. Eight new members were elected to the parliament. On 14 August 2006 Apisai Ielemia was elected as prime minister; and Kamuta