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2008 Tongan general election

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2008 Tongan general election
Tonga
← 2005 23 – 24 April 2008 2010 →
9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
HRDM ʻUliti Uata 28.47 4 −3
PDP Sione Teisina Fuko 14.02 2 New
Independents – 57.51 3 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Feleti Sevele
HRDM		 Feleti Sevele
HRDM
Politics of Tonga
Constitution
Monarchy
Executive
Legislative
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

General elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.[1] The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April.[2] A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.[3]

71 candidates had filed for the people's representatives' seats, among them eight women. All nine incumbents stood for reelection, with six retaining their seats.[4] Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition over the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots.[5] Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.[6]

These elections were the last ones before democratic reforms expected to be implemented in 2010, which would change the seat balance as follows: 17 MPs would be popularly elected, nine MPs would be elected by the nobles and four MPs appointed by the king.[7]

Viliami Uasike Latu requested a recount in Vava'u, the constituency he contested, as he missed out on the second seat there by only 51 votes. The recount was conducted from 5 to 9 May at the Office of the Governor of Vava’u,[8] and confirmed the original result.[9]

Controversy

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About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts,[10] and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage.[11] The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, commented that it was "unfortunate".[12] Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe,[13] a comparison rejected by the TBC.[14] Tongan MP Clive Edwards said that the TBC's decision was aimed at stifling criticism of the government in the lead-up to the election,[15] and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs.[16] Pesi Fonua, head of the Tonga Media Council, said that the election "very much depends on how the candidates present themselves", and that censorship would "definitely have an impact".[17]

Results

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PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Human Rights and Democracy Movement21,99528.474–3
People's Democratic Party10,82814.022New
Independents44,42357.513+1
Nobles' representatives90
Royal appointees120
Total77,246100.00300
Total votes32,091–
Registered voters/turnout68,73046.69
Source: Psephos, IPU

By constituency

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People's Representatives

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Constituency Candidate Party Votes % Notes
Eua Sunia Fili Human Rights and Democracy Movement 861 35.4 Elected
Tevita Lavemaau Independent 510 21.0
Tevita Tupou Independent 446 18.3
Siosaia Hausia Independent 279 11.5
Tu'ipulotu Lauaki Independent 137 5.6
'Asipeli Mafi Independent 130 5.3
Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau Kaho Independent 56 2.3
Hakeai Vea Havea Independent 12 0.5
Ha'apai ʻUliti Uata Human Rights and Democracy Movement 2,555 29.7 Elected
Sione Teisina Fuko People's Democratic Party 1,404 16.3 Elected
Moʻale Finau Independent 1,256 14.6
ʻOsai Latu Independent 1,062 12.3
Siosaia K Ma'ake Paluto Independent 885 10.3
Sione Tu'itupou Fotu Independent 412 4.8
Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa Independent 409 4.8
Siaosi Vaikona Independent 318 3.7
Sosaia Finau Independent 309 3.6
Niuafo'ou and Niuatoptapu Sione Feingatau ʻIloa Independent 476 36.6 Elected
Sione Haukinima Independent 367 28.2
Lepolo Taunisila Human Rights and Democracy Movement 241 18.5
'Ofa Simiki Independent 217 16.7
Tongatapu ʻAkilisi Pōhiva Human Rights and Democracy Movement 11,290 22.4 Elected
ʻIsileli Pulu Human Rights and Democracy Movement 7,048 14.0 Elected
Clive Edwards People's Democratic Party 6,697 13.3 Elected
Sione Sangster Saulala Independent 5,461 10.8
'Inoke Fotu Hu'akau Independent 2,802 5.6
Sione Fonua Independent 2,768 5.5
Semisi Palu 'Ifoni Tapueluelu People's Democratic Party 2,727 5.4
Mele Teusivi 'Amanaki Independent 1,523 3.0
Semisi 'Ofa Fukofuka Independent 1,150 2.3
Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahu'inga Independent 1,136 2.3
'Alisi Pone Fotu Independent 1,082 2.1
Sitiveni Takaetali Finau Independent 922 1.8
Mateaki Ki he Lotu Heimuli Independent 828 1.6
Latanoa Pikula Independent 765 1.5
Sateki Finau Independent 675 1.3
Filimone Fifita Independent 649 1.3
Sulunga Lavaka Independent 544 1.1
'Akanete Ta'ai Lauti Independent 454 0.9
Sione Tu'i'onetoa Independent 354 0.7
Salesi Kauvaka Independent 269 0.5
Tupou Malohi Independent 259 0.5
'Alani Fisher Taione Independent 184 0.4
Semisi Nauto Tuapasi 'Ata'ata Independent 175 0.3
Malu Faletau Independent 145 0.3
'Eliu Hafoka Independent 141 0.3
Punalei Nuku Independent 124 0.2
Hoatatau Tenisi Independent 118 0.2
'Eliesa Fifita Independent 98 0.2
Vava'u ʻEtuate Lavulavu Independent 2,116 14.6 Elected
Samiu Vaipulu Independent 1,896 13.1 Elected
Viliami Latu Independent 1,845 12.7
Salesi Paea Independent 1,471 10.1
Masao Paasi Independent 1,213 8.4
'Opeti Pulotu Independent 917 6.3
Viliami Kaufusi Helu Independent 726 5.0
Tevita Moengangongo Saia Independent 700 4.8
Sione Kilipati Lea Independent 674 4.6
Peauafi Tatafu Independent 547 3.8
Polutele Tu'ihalamaka Independent 544 3.7
Viliula Mafi Independent 442 3.0
Moleni Taufa Independent 383 2.6
Viliami Pasikala Independent 191 1.3
Keuli Pasina Lavaki Independent 185 1.3
Paula K Kava Independent 175 1.2
'Ofa Kitokelau Fakalata Independent 113 0.8
Mataiasi Moteini Moala Independent 104 0.7
Tongovua Tae Appleton Independent 78 0.5
Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Faka'osi Independent 73 0.5
Kapeliele Fungalei Cocker Independent 72 0.5
To'ofohe Loketi Teaupa Independent 51 0.4
Source: Psephos

Nobles' representatives

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Nine nobles were elected by the 29 eligible members of the nobility on 23 April. All 29 voters cast votes. There were no nominations, and no candidates. Tu'iha'angana, outgoing Speaker of the House, lost his seat in Ha'apai.[18]

Constituency Candidate Votes % Notes
Eua Hon. Lasike 7 63.6 Elected
Hon. Fohe 3 27.3
Baron Vaea of Houma 1 9.1
Ha'apai Hon. Tu'iha'ateiho 3 21.4 Elected
Hon. Tu'ipelehake 3 21.4 Elected
Hon. Fakafanua 2 14.3
Hon. Malupo 2 14.3
Hon. Niukapu 2 14.3
Hon. Tu'iha'angana 2 14.3
Niuafo'ou and Niuatoptapu Hon. Tangipa 2 66.7 Elected
Hon. Fotofili 1 33.3
Tongatapu Hon. Fielakepa 10 30.3 Elected
Hon. Ma'afu 10 30.3 Elected
Hon. Fohe 6 18.2 Elected
Hon. Vaha'i 4 12.1
Baron Vaea of Houma 3 9.1
Vava'u Hon. Luani 3 20.0 Elected
Hon. Tu'ilakepa 3 20.0 Elected
Hon. Fakatulolo 2 13.3
Hon. Fulivai 2 13.3
Hon. Tuita 2 13.3
Hon. Tu'i'afitu 2 13.3
Prince 'Ulukalala 1 6.7

References

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  1. ^ Electoral Calendar- world elections,US elections,presidential election,world parties
  2. ^ Tonga to hold general elections in April - People's Daily Online
  3. ^ "48% turnout for 2008 General Election" Archived 27 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, 28 April 2008
  4. ^ Tonga to hold general election on 24 April - People's Daily Online
  5. ^ Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga - Radio New Zealand Archived 7 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 25 April 2008
  6. ^ "Tongans elect pro-democracy MPs". BBC News. 25 April 2008.
  7. ^ Tonga heads to polls, but more slowly toward greater democracy Archived 24 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Tonga election recount of Vava'u result next week". Radio New Zealand. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Two Tonga People's Reps election results in Vava'u confirmed by recount". RNZ. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  10. ^ "TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election" Archived 11 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, 11 April 2008
  11. ^ "Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region", ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008
  12. ^ "Tonga pressured over media restrictions". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  13. ^ "Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tonga Review, 7 April 2008
  14. ^ "TBC Boss Responds to Tonga Review Article" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tonga Review, 10 April 2008
  15. ^ "Veteran Tonga politician says government's latest move is to stop criticism". Radio New Zealand International. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  16. ^ "State Broadcaster restrictions slammed by Tonga People's Rep". Radio New Zealand International. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Restrictions on state broadcasting likely to impact on Tonga election, says journalist". Radio New Zealand International. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  18. ^ "TUIHAANGANA LOSES SEAT IN TONGA NOBLES RACE". Pacific Islands Report. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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