2008 Tongan general election

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]

2008 Tongan general election
Tonga
23 – 24 April 2008
9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly of Tonga
PartyLeader % Seats +/–
HRDM ʻUliti Uata 28.47 4 -3
PDP Sione Teisina Fuko 14.02 2 New
Independents – 57.51 3 +1
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

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

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
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

People's Representatives
Constituency Candidate Party Votes % Notes
EuaSunia FiliHuman Rights and Democracy Movement86135.4Elected
Tevita LavemaauIndependent51021.0
Tevita TupouIndependent44618.3
Siosaia HausiaIndependent27911.5
Tu'ipulotu LauakiIndependent1375.6
'Asipeli MafiIndependent1305.3
Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau KahoIndependent562.3
Hakeai Vea HaveaIndependent120.5
Ha'apaiʻUliti UataHuman Rights and Democracy Movement2,55529.7Elected
Sione Teisina FukoPeople's Democratic Party1,40416.3Elected
Moʻale FinauIndependent1,25614.6
ʻOsai LatuIndependent1,06212.3
Siosaia K Ma'ake PalutoIndependent88510.3
Sione Tu'itupou FotuIndependent4124.8
Lopeti Kamipeli TofaIndependent4094.8
Siaosi VaikonaIndependent3183.7
Sosaia FinauIndependent3093.6
Niuafo'ou and NiuatoptapuSione Feingatau ʻIloaIndependent47636.6Elected
Sione HaukinimaIndependent36728.2
Lepolo TaunisilaHuman Rights and Democracy Movement24118.5
'Ofa SimikiIndependent21716.7
TongatapuʻAkilisi PōhivaHuman Rights and Democracy Movement11,29022.4Elected
ʻIsileli PuluHuman Rights and Democracy Movement7,04814.0Elected
Clive EdwardsPeople's Democratic Party6,69713.3Elected
Sione Sangster SaulalaIndependent5,46110.8
'Inoke Fotu Hu'akauIndependent2,8025.6
Sione FonuaIndependent2,7685.5
Semisi Palu 'Ifoni TapuelueluPeople's Democratic Party2,7275.4
Mele Teusivi 'AmanakiIndependent1,5233.0
Semisi 'Ofa FukofukaIndependent1,1502.3
Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahu'ingaIndependent1,1362.3
'Alisi Pone FotuIndependent1,0822.1
Sitiveni Takaetali FinauIndependent9221.8
Mateaki Ki he Lotu HeimuliIndependent8281.6
Latanoa PikulaIndependent7651.5
Sateki FinauIndependent6751.3
Filimone FifitaIndependent6491.3
Sulunga LavakaIndependent5441.1
'Akanete Ta'ai LautiIndependent4540.9
Sione Tu'i'onetoaIndependent3540.7
Salesi KauvakaIndependent2690.5
Tupou MalohiIndependent2590.5
'Alani Fisher TaioneIndependent1840.4
Semisi Nauto Tuapasi 'Ata'ataIndependent1750.3
Malu FaletauIndependent1450.3
'Eliu HafokaIndependent1410.3
Punalei NukuIndependent1240.2
Hoatatau TenisiIndependent1180.2
'Eliesa FifitaIndependent980.2
Vava'uʻEtuate LavulavuIndependent2,11614.6Elected
Samiu VaipuluIndependent1,89613.1Elected
Viliami LatuIndependent1,84512.7
Salesi PaeaIndependent1,47110.1
Masao PaasiIndependent1,2138.4
'Opeti PulotuIndependent9176.3
Viliami Kaufusi HeluIndependent7265.0
Tevita Moengangongo SaiaIndependent7004.8
Sione Kilipati LeaIndependent6744.6
Peauafi TatafuIndependent5473.8
Polutele Tu'ihalamakaIndependent5443.7
Viliula MafiIndependent4423.0
Moleni TaufaIndependent3832.6
Viliami PasikalaIndependent1911.3
Keuli Pasina LavakiIndependent1851.3
Paula K KavaIndependent1751.2
'Ofa Kitokelau FakalataIndependent1130.8
Mataiasi Moteini MoalaIndependent1040.7
Tongovua Tae AppletonIndependent780.5
Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Faka'osiIndependent730.5
Kapeliele Fungalei CockerIndependent720.5
To'ofohe Loketi TeaupaIndependent510.4
Source: Psephos

Nobles' representatives

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
EuaHon. Lasike763.6Elected
Hon. Fohe327.3
Baron Vaea of Houma19.1
Ha'apaiHon. Tu'iha'ateiho321.4Elected
Hon. Tu'ipelehake321.4Elected
Hon. Fakafanua214.3
Hon. Malupo214.3
Hon. Niukapu214.3
Hon. Tu'iha'angana214.3
Niuafo'ou and NiuatoptapuHon. Tangipa266.7Elected
Hon. Fotofili133.3
TongatapuHon. Fielakepa1030.3Elected
Hon. Ma'afu1030.3Elected
Hon. Fohe618.2Elected
Hon. Vaha'i412.1
Baron Vaea of Houma39.1
Vava'uHon. Luani320.0Elected
Hon. Tu'ilakepa320.0Elected
Hon. Fakatulolo213.3
Hon. Fulivai213.3
Hon. Tuita213.3
Hon. Tu'i'afitu213.3
Prince 'Ulukalala16.7

References
  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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