Democrats from the PTOA Party are engaging in heated debates online after a list of 10 candidates was shared this afternoon.
The list, which was shared today on Facebook, comes from Party Chairman Siale Napa’a Fihaki, who stated that it was his own independent selection of potential candidates.
Fihaki’s list has caused divisions among PTOA supporters, with many accusing him of releasing it in a manner that could jeopardise his position as chairman, as bound by the Party’s constitution.
The list is as follows:
Siaosi Vailahi Pohiva for Tongatapu 1
Pingi Fasi for Tongatapu 2 (Current Minister of Lands)
Tevita Palu for Tongatapu 3
Mateni Tapueluelu for Tongatapu 4 (Current Minister of Customs and Revenue)
Aisake Valu Eke for Tongatapu 5 (current Prime Minister)
No one (for Tongatapu 6?)
Piveni Piukala for Tongatapu 7 (current Minister of Police and Public Enterprises)
Filia Uipi for Tongatapu 8
Tevita Tukunga for Tongatapu 9
Kapeli Lanumata for Tongatapu 10 (current Minister of Economic Development)
Tonga will go to the polls in November, five months from now, but the race has begun poorly for the Democrats for several reasons.
The PTOA has recently split, with a breakaway group initiated by Piukala known as Paati Pule Lelei (PPL) or the Good Governance Party.
This faction advocates for reinstating the King’s democratic powers, which had been relinquished to the people during the 2010 democratic reforms.
The supporters of the PTOA who commented on the list were divided with many approved it, while others rejected it mainly because of the inclusion of Piukala and some PPL candidates.
The split is disheartening for democratic supporters, as the division between the two groups risks splitting the same voter base.
This could lead to a repeat of the 2019 election disaster, where the PTOA suffered a severe defeat.
