Following the elections, four MPs were unseated for bribery.[3]
Background
The 2017 general election resulted in a landslide victory for the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (Tongan: Paati Temokalati ʻa e ʻOtu Motu ʻAngaʻofa, or PTOA),[4] and ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was re-elected as Prime Minister, defeating former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni 14 votes to 12.[5] In September 2019 Pohiva died,[6] and Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa was elected as Prime Minister with the support of the nobles, independent MPs, and 5 former members of the DPFI.[7][8] His cabinet included three nobles, who had previously been excluded under Pohiva.[9]
In December 2020 Democratic party leader Semisi Sika submitted a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Tuʻiʻonetoa.[10] The motion was backed by Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa'otusia,[11] who subsequently resigned from Cabinet.[10][12] The Legislative Assembly rejected the no-confidence motion 13-9 on 12 January 2021.[13]
Following ʻAkilisi Pōhiva's death the PTOA fragmented, with rivalries emerging between Siaosi Pohiva and his brother-in-law Mateni Tapueluelu.[14] In the leadup to the election this led to a formal split, with Pohiva leaving the party's board and "core team".[15]
In the leadup to the election Infrastructure and Tourism Minister ʻAkosita Lavulavu and her husband ʻEtuate Lavulavu, who had previously served as a Minister, were both convicted of obtaining money by false pretenses[16][17] and sentenced to six years in prison by the Supreme Court.[18][19]
Electoral system
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has up to 30 members, of whom 17 are directly elected by first-past-the-post voting from single-member constituencies. The island of Tongatapu has ten constituencies, Vavaʻu three, Haʻapai two and ʻEua and Niuatoputapu/Niuafoʻou one each.[20] Nine seats are held by members of the nobility, who elect representatives amongst themselves.[21] The Cabinet formed by a Prime Minister may include up to four members not elected to the Assembly, who then automatically become members of the legislature.[21] Around 60,000 voters were eligible to vote.[22]
Campaign
Parliament was dissolved on 16 September.[23] 75 candidates, including 12 women, registered to contest the election.[24][25] One candidate, Sione Fonua, later withdrew, while a second one died, leaving 73 candidates in total.[26] Despite a week-long lockdown due to a COVID-19 case, the election was not delayed.[27]
Prime Minister Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa did not promote his Tonga People's Party during the campaign, and several Ministers ran as independents.[28]
Results
Voters elected an all-male parliament, with nine new people's representatives.[29] The leaders of both Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (PTOA), Semisi Sika and Siaosi Pōhiva, lost their seats, as did other senior PTOA MP's.[30] While the PTOA won majorities in most constituencies, vote-splitting between the rival factions saw them lose seats to independent candidates.[31] Only three PTOA candidates were elected: Semisi Fakahau, Veivosa Taka and Saia Piukala.[32] The People's Party formally retained only one seat,[33] but may name its members after the elections.[34]
The Electoral Commission reported that voter turnout was 62%.[35]
Following the election Viliami Tangi was appointed interim Speaker.[36] Three candidates initially announced their candidacy for Prime Minister: Interim Prime Minister Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, former Finance Minister ʻAisake Eke, and former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni.[37][38] Tuʻiʻonetoa later withdrew his candidacy, leaving Sovaleni as the frontrunner.[39]
The Legislative Assembly met on 15 December to elect a Prime Minister, with both Sovaleni and Eke being nominated.[40] Sovaleni was elected with 16 votes.[41][42]Fatafehi Fakafanua was re-elected as Speaker.[43] Sovaleni was formally appointed Prime Minister on 27 December,[44] and announced his cabinet on 29 December.[45][46] parliament was formally opened on 11 January 2022.[47]
Following the election Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa was found guilty of bribery in an election petition and stripped of his seat.[48][49]Sangster Saulala was found guilty of two counts of bribery on 2 May 2022 and his election declared void.[50][51]Tatafu Moeaki was found guilty of bribery on 6 May,[52] and Poasi Tei on 13 May.[53] Election petitions against Tevita Puloka and 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi were unsuccessful.[3] On 26 May 2022 the convictions were stayed pending appeal.[54] On 9 August 2022 the appeals by Saulala, Tei and Moeaki were dismissed, and their elections were confirmed as void.[55] Tuʻiʻonetoa's appeal was upheld and he remained in parliament.[56][57] Saulala, Tei and Moeaki were formally unseated by Parliament and their seats declared vacant on 10 August,[58] sparking the 2022 Tongatapu by-elections.[59]
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