Elisala Pita eventually returned to his home country, and worked in public service, becoming Permanent Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment.
10 Facts About Elisala Pita
1.
2.
Elisala Pita first entered parliament as an MP for Nukufetau in a by-election in October 2003.
3.
Elisala Pita considered the matter for several days after his election, then joined the government's side, helping it maintain a majority.
4.
Elisala Pita received seven votes, and became the leader of the Opposition.
5.
Elisala Pita held the position until the 2006 general election, after which he sat as a backbencher.
6.
Elisala Pita lost his seat in parliament in the 2010 general election, with Enele Sopoanga replacing him.
7.
Elisala Pita subsequently served as Chief Executive of the Tuvalu National Private Sector Organisation, lobbying for "stronger ties between the private sector and the government".
8.
Elisala Pita was selected as the Opposition's candidate for a crucial by-election in Nukufetau on 28 June 2013, which would determine which side of parliament had a majority.
9.
Elisala Pita pledged, if elected, to enable the Opposition leader Enele Sopoanga, the man who whose election ousted Elisala Pita from parliament, to bid for the premiership.
10.
Elisala Pita won the seat with more than two thirds of the vote, and the Opposition immediately asked for parliament to be reconvened.