2014 Tongan general election

2014 Tongan general election

←  2010 27 November 2014 2017  →
17 of the 26 seats in the Legislative Assembly
First party   Leader ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Party DPFI Last election 28.49%, 12 seats Seats won 9 Seat change 3 Popular vote 13,548 Percentage 33.34% Swing 4.85pp
Prime Minister before election Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō Independent Subsequent Prime Minister ʻAkilisi Pōhiva DPFI

General elections were held in Tonga on 27 November 2014. ^[1] All twenty-six elected seats in the single-chamber Legislative Assembly were up for election, although the monarch, acting on the advice of his Prime Minister, retains the possibility to appoint members to Cabinet from outside Parliament, thus granting them a non-elected ex officio seat in Parliament.

They were the second elections carried out under the May 2010 electoral law, which provided that a majority of Assembly members should be elected by the people, rather than the people and the nobility having equal representation. ^[2] The November 2010 general election was the first held under this new democratic principle; it was also the first to produce a Parliament empowered to give binding advice to the King as to the appointment of a Prime Minister. ^[2]

Background

In the 2010 general elections, the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI), led by veteran pro-democracy activist ʻAkilisi Pohiva, had won twelve of the people's seventeen seats, with the rest going to independent candidates. (The representatives of the nobility, for their part, never belong to any political party.) Pohiva, the MP for Tongatapu 1, had sought to become Prime Minister, but the nobles and independent people's representatives entrusted Lord Tuʻivakanō with the task of forming a government, relegating the DPFI to the status of a de facto parliamentary opposition. ^[2]

Considering that the reforms introduced in 2010 were merely to be viewed as a first step in the process of democratisation, the DPFI introduced a bill in October 2013 (via ʻAisake Eke, MP for Tongatapu 5) which would have empowered the people to elect the Prime Minister directly from among the twenty-six elected members of Parliament, instead of the King appointing a Prime Minister from among those members on the advice of Parliament. The bill was rejected by fifteen votes to six, failing even to secure the support of all DPFI members. ^[3]

Nonetheless, Pohiva immediately announced that, in early 2014, his party would submit a bill for electoral reform, so that all twenty-six members of the Assembly be elected by the people. The nobility would still retain their existing nine seats, but those nobles would be elected by the people. Pohiva suggested this would make "the whole Parliament [...] accountable to the people and not as we have it now". ^[4] Dr Malakai Koloamatangi of Massey University commented that it was probably too late for any such reform to apply to the 2014 election. ^[5]

Electoral system

Under the electoral reforms introduced prior to the 2010 election, Tonga is divided into seventeen single-member constituencies for the election of the people's representatives. These overlap with the four constituencies for the election of the nobles' representatives: a four-member constituency covering Tongatapu and ʻEua, a two-member constituency covering Vavaʻu, a two-member constituency covering Haʻapai, and a single-member constituency covering the islands of Niuafoʻou and Niuatoputapu. In both types of constituency, the first-past-the-post electoral system is applied. ^[2]

All Tongan citizens aged at least 21, other than noble title holders and members of the Royal Family who hold noble titles, are entitled to elect the people's representative for their constituency. "Persons under summons for debt" and those diagnosed as insane are excluded from the right to vote. ^[2] As for the nobles' constituencies, the right to vote is granted to hereditary peers and life peers, although only hereditary peers are entitled to be elected. There are thirty-three titles of hereditary nobility, which can be inherited only by men, and which entitle the bearer to the title of "Lord". Some of these titles are periodically vacant, and some are held by members of the Royal Family. As of 2013, eight commoners (all of them men) had been elevated by the monarchy to a life peerage, which likewise entitled them to the title of "Lord". ^[6]

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	13,548	33.34	9	–3
	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	558	1.37	0	0
	People's Democratic Party	518	1.27	0	0
	Tongan Democratic Labor Party	151	0.37	0	0
	Independents	25,857	63.64	8	+3
Nobles' representatives				9	0
Total		40,632	100.00	26	0
Valid votes		40,632	99.77
Invalid/blank votes		95	0.23
Total votes		40,727	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		51,448	79.16
Source: TEC, Psephos, IFES

By constituency

Tongatapu 1

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	ʻAkilisi Pohiva	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1,482	53.77
	William Cocker	Independent	448	16.26
	Mosese Teu-Ki-Veiuto Manuofetoa	Independent	345	12.52
	Ilisapesi Tau'akitangata Seli Baker	Independent	191	6.93
	Ana Kanume Bing Fonua	Independent	132	4.79
	Emeline 'Uheina Tuita	Independent	75	2.72
	Eliesa Fifita	Independent	75	2.72
	Soloni Lutui	Independent	8	0.29
Total			2,756	100.00
Valid votes			2,756	99.53
Invalid/blank votes			13	0.47
Total votes			2,769	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 2

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Semisi Sika	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1,091	48.36
	Sione Tu'itavake Fonua	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	543	24.07
	Tevita Kaitu'u Fotu	Independent	436	19.33
	Soane Patita Vakautafefine Fifita	Independent	186	8.24
Total			2,256	100.00
Valid votes			2,256	99.60
Invalid/blank votes			9	0.40
Total votes			2,265	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 3

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Siaosi Sovaleni	Independent	999	33.72
	Tevita Palu	Independent	711	24.00
	Clive Edwards	People's Democratic Party	518	17.48
	Mesuilame Simote Vea	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	459	15.49
	Mele Teusivi 'Amanaki	Tongan Democratic Labor Party	151	5.10
	Gabriella Renne Blake 'Ilolahia	Independent	110	3.71
	Paula Lavulo	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	15	0.51
Total			2,963	100.00
Valid votes			2,963	99.80
Invalid/blank votes			6	0.20
Total votes			2,969	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 4

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Mateni Tapueluelu	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	783	31.96
	ʻIsileli Pulu	Independent	570	23.27
	Etika Koka	Independent	492	20.08
	Seketi Fo'ou Fuko	Independent	248	10.12
	Etuate 'Eniti Sakalia	Independent	168	6.86
	Poli Tuaileva	Independent	94	3.84
	Tevita 'Ita Koloamatangi	Independent	54	2.20
	Felise 'Ulupano	Independent	37	1.51
	Tominiko Setefano Folaumotuita Kama	Independent	4	0.16
Total			2,450	100.00
Valid votes			2,450	99.51
Invalid/blank votes			12	0.49
Total votes			2,462	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 5

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	ʻAisake Eke	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1,682	58.24
	Maliu Takai	Independent	1,090	37.74
	Lia Manatu Faoa	Independent	72	2.49
	Viliami Kini Tukia H.P. Mangisi	Independent	44	1.52
Total			2,888	100.00
Valid votes			2,888	99.65
Invalid/blank votes			10	0.35
Total votes			2,898	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 6

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Poasi Tei	Independent	1,036	35.70
	Salesi Finau Hu'ia Fotu	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	912	31.43
	Siosifa Tuʻitupou Tuʻutafaiva	Independent	629	21.67
	Sione Tatafu Angakehe Tafuna	Independent	325	11.20
Total			2,902	100.00
Valid votes			2,902	99.76
Invalid/blank votes			7	0.24
Total votes			2,909	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 7

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Sione Vuna Faʻotusia	Independent	822	30.75
	Sione Sangster Saulala	Independent	762	28.51
	Sipola Fakaanga Havili Halafihi	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	686	25.66
	Mavaetangi Manavahetau	Independent	199	7.44
	Atalasa Misilemoti Pouvalu	Independent	99	3.70
	Pinomi Prescott	Independent	41	1.53
	Amanaki Paea Molitika	Independent	33	1.23
	Siosifa Filini Sikuea	Independent	31	1.16
Total			2,673	100.00
Valid votes			2,673	99.81
Invalid/blank votes			5	0.19
Total votes			2,678	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 8

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Semisi Fakahau	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1,016	38.81
	Tevita Tu'i Uata	Independent	895	34.19
	Sione Taione	Independent	663	25.32
	Mafile'o Mataele	Independent	32	1.22
	Sipaisi Kutu	Independent	12	0.46
Total			2,618	100.00
Valid votes			2,618	99.89
Invalid/blank votes			3	0.11
Total votes			2,621	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 9

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Penisimani Fifita	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	692	25.86
	Vika Fusimalohi	Independent	618	23.09
	Falisi Tupou	Independent	571	21.34
	Tevita Tupu 'Ofa	Independent	506	18.91
	Samipeni Uaine Finau	Independent	199	7.44
	Lemasingo Tania Nai	Independent	90	3.36
Total			2,676	100.00
Valid votes			2,676	99.74
Invalid/blank votes			7	0.26
Total votes			2,683	100.00
Source: TEC

Tongatapu 10

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1,402	46.29
	Faka'osilea Kaufusi	Independent	845	27.90
	Daniel Kimball Fale	Independent	452	14.92
	Semisi Tapueluelu	Independent	285	9.41
	Seini Teu	Independent	45	1.49
Total			3,029	100.00
Valid votes			3,029	99.80
Invalid/blank votes			6	0.20
Total votes			3,035	100.00
Source: TEC

ʻEua 11

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Tevita Lavemaau	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	760	35.22
	Sunia Fili	Independent	716	33.18
	Taniela Fusimalohi	Independent	618	28.64
	Suliasi Pouvalu Fonise 'Aholelei	Independent	57	2.64
	Silivia Loumaile Mahe	Independent	7	0.32
Total			2,158	100.00
Valid votes			2,158	99.95
Invalid/blank votes			1	0.05
Total votes			2,159	100.00
Source: TEC

Haʻapai 12

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Viliami Hingano	Independent	535	31.32
	Moʻale Finau	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	532	31.15
	Pita Faiva Taufatofua	Independent	396	23.19
	Pita Vi	Independent	158	9.25
	Tu'ivaita Ueleni	Independent	69	4.04
	Latiume Kaufusi	Independent	18	1.05
Total			1,708	100.00
Valid votes			1,708	99.94
Invalid/blank votes			1	0.06
Total votes			1,709	100.00
Source: TEC

Haʻapai 13

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Veivosa Taka	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	823	49.46
	Samiuela Takapuna Fangaloka	Independent	443	26.62
	Sosaia Langitoto Helu	Independent	156	9.38
	Anau Ki Lifuka 'Anau	Independent	139	8.35
	Sione Talanoa Fifita	Independent	103	6.19
Total			1,664	100.00
Valid votes			1,664	99.94
Invalid/blank votes			1	0.06
Total votes			1,665	100.00
Source: TEC

Vavaʻu 14

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Saia Piukala	Independent	1,232	50.43
	Lisiate ʻAkolo	Independent	739	30.25
	Latu Niua Lepolo	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	272	11.13
	Matini F.M.'O.V.T.T. Veikune	Independent	79	3.23
	Tu'amelie H. Faitu'a Kemoe'atu	Independent	70	2.87
	Tongovua T. Toloke Appleton	Independent	34	1.39
	Taniela Fakalolo Kivalu	Independent	17	0.70
Total			2,443	100.00
Valid votes			2,443	99.84
Invalid/blank votes			4	0.16
Total votes			2,447	100.00
Source: TEC

Vavaʻu 15

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Samiu Vaipulu	Independent	747	33.65
	Tomifa Paea	Independent	524	23.60
	Kulufeinga 'Anisi Bloomfield	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	472	21.26
	Keuli Pasina Lavaki	Independent	166	7.48
	Sione Sosefo Fitu Mailangi	Independent	95	4.28
	Alekisio Kaita'eifo	Independent	77	3.47
	Alwyn Thomas Moa	Independent	36	1.62
	Elieta Sapate Toke	Independent	31	1.40
	Salesi Kauvaka	Independent	27	1.22
	Viliami Kaufusi Helu	Independent	20	0.90
	Viliami Pasikala	Independent	16	0.72
	Henele Tu'ulau Fononga	Independent	9	0.41
Total			2,220	100.00
Valid votes			2,220	99.82
Invalid/blank votes			4	0.18
Total votes			2,224	100.00
Source: TEC

Vavaʻu 16

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	‘Etuate Lavulavu	Independent	767	33.64
	Viliami Latu	Independent	627	27.50
	Ipeni 'Alamoni Siale	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	346	15.18
	Tupoulahi Manuofetoa	Independent	212	9.30
	Aisea Silivenusi	Independent	135	5.92
	Viliami Lolohea	Independent	106	4.65
	Ikani Loneli Taliai	Independent	87	3.82
Total			2,280	100.00
Valid votes			2,280	99.78
Invalid/blank votes			5	0.22
Total votes			2,285	100.00
Source: TEC

Ongo Niua 17

Candidate		Party	Votes	%
	Sosefo Feʻaomoeata Vakata	Independent	519	54.75
	Vatau Hui	Independent	291	30.70
	Sione Peauafi Haukinima	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	138	14.56
Total			948	100.00
Valid votes			948	99.89
Invalid/blank votes			1	0.11
Total votes			949	100.00
Source: TEC

Nobles

Constituency	Elected candidate	Votes
'Eua	Lord Nuku	7
Ha'apai	Lord Tuʻihaʻateiho	4
	Lord Tu'iha'angana	4
Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou	Lord Fusitu’a	2
Tongatapu	ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea	11
	Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi	10
	Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō	8
Vava'u	Tonga Tuʻiʻafitu	5
	Lord Tu'ilakepa	4
Source: Tonga Portal

References

1. "MP proposes bill to dissolve government", Matangi Tonga, 21 October 2013
2. "Tonga: Fale Alea (Legislative Assembly)", Interparliamentary Union
3. "Parliament rejects a Bill to change Tonga's electoral system", Matangi Tonga, 24 October 2013
4. "Tonga Democrats to table more reform plans", Radio New Zealand International, 30 October 2013
5. "Tonga reform push too late before elections, says academic", Radio New Zealand International, 31 October 2013
6. "Nobles" Archived 2016-03-30 at the Wayback Machine , Tongan Ministry of Information