Three by-elections were held in the Tongan electorates of Tongatapu 4, Tongatapu 6, and Tongatapu 7 on 3 November 2022. [1] [2] The by-elections were triggered by the unseating of cabinet ministers Tatafu Moeaki, Poasi Tei, and Sione Sangster Saulala for bribery following the 2021 Tongan general election. [3] [4] The by-elections were won by Mateni Tapueluelu (Tongatapu 4), Dulcie Tei (Tongatapu 6), and Paula Piukala (Tongatapu 7). [5] [6]
Candidate registration for the by-elections was held on September 5 and 6, [7] resulting in five candidates for Tongatapu 4 and Tongatapu 6, and three for Tongatapu 7. [8]
Candidates for Tongatapu 4 were former MPs Mateni Tapueluelu and ʻIsileli Pulu, Viliami 'Alamameita Takau, Toutai 'Ulupano, and 'Etika Cocker. [8]
Candidates for Tongatapu 6 were Tahifisi Vehikite, Sione Talanoa Fifita, Fane Fotu Fituafe, Sepeti Vakameilalo, and Dulcie Elaine Tei. [8]
Candidates for Tongatapu 7 were Feletiliki Fa'otusia, Paula Piveni Piukala, and Kilisitina Saulala. [8]
Candidate | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
Mateni Tapueluelu | 973 | 45.55 |
Viliami 'Alamameita Takau | 810 | 37.92 |
'Etika Cocker | 300 | 14.04 |
'Isileli Pulu | 39 | 1.83 |
Toutai 'Ulupano | 14 | 0.66 |
Total | 2,136 | 100.00 |
Source: [5] |
Candidate | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
Dulcie Tei | 1,308 | 53.08 |
Fane Fotu Fituafe | 900 | 36.53 |
Sione Talanoa Fifita | 115 | 4.67 |
Tahifisi Vehikite | 114 | 4.63 |
Sepeti Vakameilalo | 27 | 1.10 |
Total | 2,464 | 100.00 |
Source: [5] |
Candidate | Votes | % |
---|---|---|
Paula Piukala | 979 | 40.16 |
Kilisitina Saulala | 765 | 31.38 |
Feletiliki Fa'otusia | 694 | 28.47 |
Total | 2,438 | 100.00 |
Source: [5] |
Early general elections under a new electoral law were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010. They determined the composition of the 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly.
The Cabinet of Tonga is the cabinet of the government of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is composed primarily of the ministers of government. The latter, including the Prime Minister, are appointed by the monarch. The Governor of Ha'apai and the Governor of Vava'u also serve on the Cabinet ex officio. When in session and presided over by the monarch, the Cabinet is known as the Privy Council.
Samiu Kuita Vaipulu is a Tongan politician and Cabinet Minister. He was the Deputy Prime Minister from 2010 to 2014 and is currently Minister for Trade and Economic Development.
Sione Sangster Saulala is a Tongan politician, broadcaster, and Cabinet Minister. He was a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands early in his political career.
Siosaʻia Lausiʻi, Lord Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi, also known as Lord Maʻafu, was a Tongan politician, military officer, and member of the Tongan nobility.
Siosifa Tuʻitupou Tuʻutafaiva is a Tongan lawyer and politician.
Tongatapu 4 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses part of Maʻufanga, and the entirety of the villages of Houmakelikao, ʻAnana, ʻUmisi, Fangaloto, Popua, Patangata, Nukunukumotu, Tukutonga, and Pangaimotu.
ʻAisake Valu Eke is a Tongan politician and former Cabinet Minister.
Tongatapu 7 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses the villages of Pea, Tokomololo, Haʻateiho, Lotohaʻapai, and part of Tofoa and Koloua.
Tongatapu 10 is an electoral constituency for the Legislative Assembly in the Kingdom of Tonga. It was established for the November 2010 general election, when the multi-seat regional constituencies for People's Representatives were replaced by single-seat constituencies, electing one representative via the first past the post electoral system. Located on the country's main island, Tongatapu, it encompasses the villages of Lapaha, Talasiu, Hoi, Nukuleka, Makaunga, Talafo‘ou, Navutoka, Manuka, Kolonga, Afa, Niutoua, and ‘Eueiki.
Mateni Tapueluelu is a Tongan journalist and politician.
Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa was a Tongan accountant and politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Tonga from 2019 to 2021. Tu'i'onetoa succeeded Semisi Sika, who had served as acting prime minister, since the death of ʻAkilisi Pōhiva.
Siaosi ‘Ofakivahafolau Sovaleni, styled Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, is a Tongan politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Tonga since 2021. He has previously served as a Cabinet Minister, and from 2014 to 2017, he was Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is the current estate holder of the village of Ha'asini.
Poasi Mataele Tei is a Tongan politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga.
General elections were held in Tonga on 18 November 2021 to elect 17 of the 26 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
Tatafu Toma Moeaki is a Tongan politician, former Cabinet Minister, and civil servant.
Sione Siale Fohe, styled Lord Fohe, is a Tongan noble, politician, and Cabinet minister.
Michael Hargreaves Whitten is an Australian jurist who served as Lord Chief Justice of Tonga from September 2019 to September 2023.
Paula Piveni Piukala is a Tongan politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. He is a member of the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands.
Dulcie Elaine Tei is a Tongan politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga. She is the wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei.