106 candidates for Tonga's General Election 2014

By Linny Folau

After the final day of nomination today, a total of 106 candidates including 16 women, will contest 17 People's Representative seats in parliament, in Tonga's upcoming General Election on November 27, 2014.

The Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said this was a decrease from 144 candidates who contested the last 2010 General Election. However,  the number of women candidates increased to 16 for this election.

Of the 106, there were 61 candidates in Tongatapu, 26 in Vava’u, 11 in Ha’apai, five in ‘Eua and three in Niuatoputapu and Niuafo’ou.

Pita said that a woman candidate from Tongatapu 4, Palu Taufateau, who initially registered yesterday, October 23 had her name taken off the list, after being informed by the Supreme Court that she had an outstanding debt with the court.

Two incumbents who are not running again are Dr Sitiveni Halapua in Tongatapu 3 and 'Uliti Uata in Ha'apai 13.

Nominations closed at 3:00pm this afternoon throughout Tonga and the full list was announced after candidates drew their numbers for the ballot papers.

Candidates for 17 constituencies

Tongatapu 1

1. ‘Ilisapesi Baker
2. William Cocker
3. Soloni Lutui
4. Mosese Manuofetoa
5. ‘Emeline Tuita
6. Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva (incumbent)
7. ‘Ana Bing Fonua
8. ‘Eliesa Fifita

Tongatapu 2

1. Semisi Sika (incumbent)
2. Soane Patita Fifita
3. Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu
4. Sione Tu’itavake Fonua

Tongatapu 3

1. William Clive Edwards
2. Gabriella ‘Ilolahia
3. Siaosi Sovaleni
4. Simote Vea
5. Paula Lavulo
6. Tevita Palu
7. Mele ‘Amanaki

Tongatapu 4

1. Polikalepo Tuaileva
2. ‘Etuate Sakalia
3. Felise ‘Ulupano
4. Edgar Cocker
5. Tominiko Kama
6. Tevita Koloamatangi
7. Mateni Taupueluelu
8. Seketi Fuko
9. ‘Isileli Pulu (incumbent)

Tongatapu 5

1. Lia Manatufa’oa
2. ‘Asiake ‘Eke (incumbent)
3. VIliami Mangisi
4. Maliu Takai

Tongatapu 6

1. Sione Tafuna
2. Siosifa Tu’utafaiva (incumbent)
3. Salesi Fotu
4. Poasi Tei

Tongatapu 7

1. ‘Amanaki Paea Molitika
2. Sione Sangster Saulala (incumbent)
3. Pinomi Prescott
4. ‘Atalasa Pouvalu
5. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia
6. Siosifa Filini Sikuea
7. Mavaetangi Manavahetau
8. Sipola Halafihi

Tongatapu 8

1. Semisi Fakahau
2. Mafile’o Mataele
3. Tevita Tu’i Uata
4. Sione Taione (incumbent)
5. Sipaisi Kutu

Tongatapu 9

1. Samipeni Finau
2. Toma Tu’ipulotu
3. Vika Fusimalohi
4. Tevita Tupu’ofa
5. Lemasingo Tania Nai 
6. Penisimani Fifita
7. Falisi Tupou (incumbent)

Tongatapu 10

1. Seini Teu 
2. Daniel Fale
3. Semisi Tapueluelu (incumbent)
4. Pohiva Tu’ionetoa
5. Faka’osilea Kaufusi

‘Eua 11

1. Sunia Fili (incumbent)
2. Tevita Lavemaau
3. Silivia Mahe
4. Suliasi ‘Aholelei
5. Taniela Fusimalohi

Ha'apai 12

1. Vili Hingano
2. Mo’ale Finau (incumbent)
3. Pita Taufatofua
4. Pita Vi
5. Tu'ivaita Ueleni
6. Latiume Kaufusi

Ha’apai 13

1. ‘Anau ki Lifuka ‘Anau
2. Samiuela Fangaloka
3. Veivosa Taka
4. Sosaia Helu
5. Sione Talanoa Fifita

Vava’u 14

1. Tongovua Toloke Appleton
2. Taniela Kivalu
3. Matini Veikune
4. Saia Piukala
5. Lisiate ‘Akolo (incumbent)
6. Tu’amelie Kemoe’atu
7. Latuniua Lepolo

Vava’u 15

1. ‘Alekisio Kaita’eifo
2. Alwyn Moa
3. Viliami Kaufusi Helu
4. Henele Fononga
5. Tomifa Paea
6. Sione Mailangi
7. Samiu Vaipulu (incumbent)
8. Sapate Toke (woman)
9. ‘Anisi Bloomfield
10. Keuli Lavaki
11. Viliami Pasikala
12. Salesi Kauvaka

Vava’u 16

1. Tupoulahi Manuofetoa
2. ‘Ikani Taliai
3. ‘Ipeni Siale
4. Viliami Lolohea
5. Viliami Uasike Latu (incumbent)
6. ‘Aisea Siliveinusi
7. ‘Etuate Lavulavu

Niua 17

1. Fe’ao Vakata (incumbent)
2. Vaotau Hui
3. Sione Peauafi Haukinima

In Tongatapu there were several new candidates registering today. See also: 45 candidates register for Tongatapu