2008 Tongan general election

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2008 Tongan general election
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←  2005 23 – 24 April 2008 2010  →
9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
PartyLeaderVote %Seats+/–
HRDM ʻUliti Uata 28.474−3
PDP Sione Teisina Fuko 14.022New
Independents –57.513+1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister beforePrime Minister after
Feleti Sevele
HRDM 		Feleti Sevele
HRDM

General elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly. [1] The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April. [2] A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%. [3]

Contents

71 candidates had filed for the people's representatives' seats, among them eight women. All nine incumbents stood for reelection, with six retaining their seats. [4] Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition over the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots. [5] Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists. [6]

These elections were the last ones before democratic reforms expected to be implemented in 2010, which would change the seat balance as follows: 17 MPs would be popularly elected, nine MPs would be elected by the nobles and four MPs appointed by the king. [7]

Viliami Uasike Latu requested a recount in Vavaʻu, the constituency he contested, as he missed out on the second seat there by only 51 votes. The recount was conducted from 5 to 9 May at the Office of the Governor of Vavaʻu, [8] and confirmed the original result. [9]

Controversy

About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts, [10] and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage. [11] The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, commented that it was "unfortunate". [12] Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe, [13] a comparison rejected by the TBC. [14] Tongan MP Clive Edwards said that the TBC's decision was aimed at stifling criticism of the government in the lead-up to the election, [15] and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs. [16] Pesi Fonua, head of the Tonga Media Council, said that the election "very much depends on how the candidates present themselves", and that censorship would "definitely have an impact". [17]

Results

Tongan Parliament 2008.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Human Rights and Democracy Movement 21,99528.474–3
People's Democratic Party 10,82814.022New
Independents44,42357.513+1
Nobles' representatives90
Royal appointees120
Total77,246100.00300
Total votes32,091–
Registered voters/turnout68,73046.69
Source: Psephos, IPU

By constituency

People's Representatives

ConstituencyCandidatePartyVotes%Notes
Eua Sunia Fili Human Rights and Democracy Movement 86135.4Elected
Tevita Lavemaau Independent 51021.0
Tevita Tupou Independent 44618.3
Siosaia Hausia Independent 27911.5
Tuʻipulotu Lauaki Independent 1375.6
ʻAsipeli Mafi Independent 1305.3
Veisinia Tupou Tuʻitakau Kaho Independent 562.3
Hakeai Vea Havea Independent 120.5
Haʻapai ʻUliti Uata Human Rights and Democracy Movement 2,55529.7Elected
Sione Teisina Fuko People's Democratic Party 1,40416.3Elected
Moʻale Finau Independent 1,25614.6
ʻOsai Latu Independent 1,06212.3
Siosaia K Maʻake Paluto Independent 88510.3
Sione Tuʻitupou Fotu Independent 4124.8
Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa Independent 4094.8
Siaosi Vaikona Independent 3183.7
Sosaia Finau Independent 3093.6
Niuafoʻou and Niuatoptapu Sione Feingatau ʻIloa Independent 47636.6Elected
Sione Haukinima Independent 36728.2
Lepolo Taunisila Human Rights and Democracy Movement 24118.5
ʻOfa Simiki Independent 21716.7
Tongatapu ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Human Rights and Democracy Movement 11,29022.4Elected
ʻIsileli Pulu Human Rights and Democracy Movement 7,04814.0Elected
Clive Edwards People's Democratic Party 6,69713.3Elected
Sione Sangster Saulala Independent 5,46110.8
ʻInoke Fotu Huʻakau Independent 2,8025.6
Sione Fonua Independent 2,7685.5
Semisi Palu ʻIfoni Tapueluelu People's Democratic Party 2,7275.4
Mele Teusivi ʻAmanaki Independent 1,5233.0
Semisi ʻOfa Fukofuka Independent 1,1502.3
Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahuʻinga Independent 1,1362.3
ʻAlisi Pone Fotu Independent 1,0822.1
Sitiveni Takaetali Finau Independent 9221.8
Mateaki Ki he Lotu Heimuli Independent 8281.6
Latanoa Pikula Independent 7651.5
Sateki Finau Independent 6751.3
Filimone Fifita Independent 6491.3
Sulunga Lavaka Independent 5441.1
ʻAkanete Taʻai Lauti Independent 4540.9
Sione Tuʻiʻonetoa Independent 3540.7
Salesi Kauvaka Independent 2690.5
Tupou Malohi Independent 2590.5
ʻAlani Fisher Taione Independent 1840.4
Semisi Nauto Tuapasi ʻAtaʻata Independent 1750.3
Malu Faletau Independent 1450.3
ʻEliu Hafoka Independent 1410.3
Punalei Nuku Independent 1240.2
Hoatatau Tenisi Independent 1180.2
ʻEliesa Fifita Independent 980.2
Vavaʻu ʻEtuate Lavulavu Independent 2,11614.6Elected
Samiu Vaipulu Independent 1,89613.1Elected
Viliami Latu Independent 1,84512.7
Salesi Paea Independent 1,47110.1
Masao Paasi Independent 1,2138.4
ʻOpeti Pulotu Independent 9176.3
Viliami Kaufusi Helu Independent 7265.0
Tevita Moengangongo Saia Independent 7004.8
Sione Kilipati Lea Independent 6744.6
Peauafi Tatafu Independent 5473.8
Polutele Tuʻihalamaka Independent 5443.7
Viliula Mafi Independent 4423.0
Moleni Taufa Independent 3832.6
Viliami Pasikala Independent 1911.3
Keuli Pasina Lavaki Independent 1851.3
Paula K Kava Independent 1751.2
ʻOfa Kitokelau Fakalata Independent 1130.8
Mataiasi Moteini Moala Independent 1040.7
Tongovua Tae Appleton Independent 780.5
Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Fakaʻosi Independent 730.5
Kapeliele Fungalei Cocker Independent 720.5
Toʻofohe Loketi Teaupa Independent 510.4
Source: Psephos

Nobles' representatives

Nine nobles were elected by the 29 eligible members of the nobility on 23 April. All 29 voters cast votes. There were no nominations, and no candidates. Tuʻihaʻangana, outgoing Speaker of the House, lost his seat in Haʻapai. [18]

ConstituencyCandidateVotes%Notes
Eua Hon. Lasike 763.6Elected
Hon. Fohe327.3
Baron Vaea of Houma 19.1
Haʻapai Hon. Tuʻihaʻateiho 321.4Elected
Hon. Tuʻipelehake 321.4Elected
Hon. Fakafanua 214.3
Hon. Malupo214.3
Hon. Niukapu214.3
Hon. Tuʻihaʻangana 214.3
Niuafoʻou and NiuatoptapuHon. Tangipa266.7Elected
Hon. Fotofili133.3
Tongatapu Hon. Fielakepa 1030.3Elected
Hon. Maʻafu 1030.3Elected
Hon. Fohe618.2Elected
Hon. Vahaʻi412.1
Baron Vaea of Houma 39.1
Vavaʻu Hon. Luani 320.0Elected
Hon. Tuʻilakepa 320.0Elected
Hon. Fakatulolo213.3
Hon. Fulivai213.3
Hon. Tuita213.3
Hon. Tuʻiʻafitu213.3
Prince ʻUlukalala16.7

References

  1. ↑ Electoral Calendar- world elections, US elections, presidential election, world parties
  2. ↑ Tonga to hold general elections in April - People's Daily Online
  3. ↑ "48% turnout for 2008 General Election" Archived 27 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine , Matangi Tonga, 28 April 2008
  4. ↑ Tonga to hold general election on 24 April - People's Daily Online
  5. ↑ Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga - Radio New Zealand Archived 7 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine , 25 April 2008
  6. ↑ "Tongans elect pro-democracy MPs". BBC News. 25 April 2008.
  7. ↑ Tonga heads to polls, but more slowly toward greater democracy Archived 24 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Tonga election recount of Vava'u result next week". Radio New Zealand . 2 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  9. ↑ "Two Tonga People's Reps election results in Vava'u confirmed by recount". RNZ. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election" Archived 11 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Matangi Tonga, 11 April 2008
  11. ↑ "Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region", ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008
  12. ↑ "Tonga pressured over media restrictions". The Age . Australian Associated Press. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  13. ↑ "Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Tonga Review, 7 April 2008
  14. ↑ "TBC Boss Responds to Tonga Review Article" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine , Tonga Review, 10 April 2008
  15. ↑ "Veteran Tonga politician says government's latest move is to stop criticism". Radio New Zealand International . 9 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  16. ↑ "State Broadcaster restrictions slammed by Tonga People's Rep". Radio New Zealand International . 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  17. ↑ "Restrictions on state broadcasting likely to impact on Tonga election, says journalist". Radio New Zealand International . 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  18. ↑ "TUIHAANGANA LOSES SEAT IN TONGA NOBLES RACE". Pacific Islands Report. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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