The Democrats have won 14 seats in today’s election, giving them enough seats in
Parliament to form the next government without needing the support of independents.
Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu, who is covering the elections from Tonga, reports that
supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki confirmed a moment ago that the Democrats had added
five more seats to their tally.
Democrats had won two seats in Ha’apai, two in Vava’u and one in Niua, according to Vuki’s announcement.
The Democrat Party had already won a landslide victory in Tongatapu in today’s elections.
The only seat they lost is Tongatapu 3, which was won by former Deputy Prime Minister
Siaosi Sovaleni who was re-elected as an independent.
The final official results
Tongatapu 1 – ‘Akilisi Pohiva
Tongatapu 2 – Semisi Lafu Sika
Tongatapu 3 – Siaosi Sovaleni (Independent MP)
Tongatapu 4 – Mateni Tapueluelu
Tongatapu 5 – Losaline Ma’asi
Tongatapu 6 – Poasi Tei
Tongatapu 7 – Sione Vuna Fa’otusia
Tongatapu 8 – Semisi Fakahau
Tongatapu 9 – Penisimani Fifita
Tongatapu 10 – Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa
‘Eua 11 – Tevita Lavemaau (Independent)
Ha’apai 12 – Mo’ale Finau
Ha’apai 13 – Veivosa Taka
Vava’u 14 – Dr Saia Piukala
Vava’u 15 – Samiu Vaipulu (Independent)
Vava’u 16 – Akosita Lavulavu
Niua 17 – Vavatau Hui
There has been huge personal support for Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva.
Hon. Pohiva won despite being challenged by 10 candidates.
A total of 86 candidates stood today, including 15 women, for 17 open seats.
About 146 police officers were assigned to polling stations today
As Kaniva News reported earlier today, all but two of the Noble’s Representatives in Tonga’s parliament have been re-elected.
Lord Vaha’i took the third Tongatapu seat after winning a coin toss with Lord Vaea.
Massey University director of Pasifika Malakai Koloamatangi told Radio New Zealand the
importance of the vote could not be overstated.
“The first election was okay, 2010, it was testing the waters and so forth. 2014 was to see whether the mechanisms and machinery was in place,” he said.
“But this election, I think more than the others, even before 2010, will be the real litmus.”
The main points
- An unofficial count made a few moments ago gives the Democrat Party 14 seats,
enough to form the next government without needing the support of independents. - Kaniva News editor Kalino Latu, who is covering the elections from Tonga, reports
that the unofficial count gives the Democrats five more seats, bringing them to 14. - Indications are that the Democrats have won two seats in Ha’apai, two in Vava’u and
one in Niua. - The Democrat Party won a landslide in Tongatapu in today’s elections.
