On 5 October 2016, the High Court of Tuvalu declared that Ielemia’s parliamentary seat was vacant as he was not qualified to be a member of parliament, following his conviction on 6 May 2016 in the Magistrate’s Court of charges of abuse of office during the final year of his term as Prime Minister. Ielemia said he believed himself to be a member of parliament. Ielemia challenged the decision in 2017.