MP Viliami Hingano won one more vote, while unsuccessful Democratic candidate Moʻale Fīnau’s votes remain unchanged in a recount in the Haʻapai 12 constituency, it has been confirmed this morning by the Office of the Haʻapai Governor.

The recount was called because of the slim vote margin – 3 votes – between Manuopangai and Fīnau, the candidates who received the second and third highest number of votes in Haʻapai election.

However a recount overseen by the Election Commissioner Pita Vuki, Secretary for Haʻapai Governor and a Police Officer has found Manuopangai has won one more vote than the original 535  while Mr Finau vote count stays the same at 532.

MP Manuopangai now has 536 votes while Mr Finau has 532.  The highest votes in Haʻapai goes to Veivosa Taka who won the seat for Haʻapai 13 with 823 votes.