Tonga's general election attracts 71 candidates [1]
Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 17:11. Updated on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 15:05.
Seventy one candidates were registered yesterday to compete for the nine People's Representative seats in Tonga's April 24 Parliamentary General Election.
The 71 candidates include 28 for Tongatapu, 22 for Vava'u, nine for Ha'apai, eight for 'Eua, and four from the remote islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou.
There are seven more candidates in this year's election than the 64 candidates who were registered for the last general election in 2005.
There are eight women candidates. The three women candidates for Tongatapu are Mele 'Amanaki, 'Akanete Lauti and 'Alisi Pone Fotu. The two women candidates for Vava'u are Temaleti Faka'osi and Tongovua Tae Appleton; one for 'Eua, Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau Kaho; and two for the two Niuas, Lepolo Taunisila and 'Ofa Simiki.
All nine incumbent People's Representatives are standing for re-election.
To register as candidates, individuals must be Tongan nationals and need 50 signatures of endorsement from their registered district before paying a registration fee of $200 to the registrar of electors.
There are no political parties in the registration system and candidates stand as individuals .
TONGATAPU
Three People's Representative seats, contested by 28 candidates:
1. Sitiveni Takaetali Finau, Nukunuku
2. Semisi Palu 'Ifoni Tapueluelu, Talafo'ou
3. William Clive Edwards, Kolofo'ou (incumbent no. 3)
4. Sulunga Lavaka, Kolomotu'a
5. Sione Tu'i'onetoa, Makaunga
6. Mele Teusivi 'Amanaki, Kolofo'ou
7. 'Isileli Pulu, Ma'ufanga (incumbent no. 2)
8. Punalei Nuku, Kolofo'ou
9. Tupou Malohi, Kolonga
10. 'Inoke Fotu Hu'akau, Kolomotu'a
11. Mateaki Ki he Lotu Heimuli, Kolomotu'a
12. Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Kolomotu'a (incumbent no. 1)
13. Malu Faletau, Kolofo'ou
14. 'Akanete Ta'ai Lauti, Te'ekiu
15. Semisi Nauto Tuapasi 'Ata'ata, Kolofo'ou
16. 'Alani Fisher Taione, Vaini
17. 'Alisi Pone Fotu, Kolofo'ou
18. Sateki Finau, Fo'ui
19. Hoatatau Tenisi, Tokomololo
20. Semisi 'Ofa Fukofuka, Tatakamotonga
21. Filimone Fifita, Fua'amotu
22. 'Eliu Hafoka, Kolofo'ou
23. 'Eliesa Fifita, Kolomotu'a
24. Salesi Kauvaka, Ha'utu
25. Sione Sangster Saulala, Tofoa
26. Latanoa Pikula, Navutoka
27. Sione Tu'itavake Fonua, Kolofo'ou
28. Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahu'inga, Pea
VAVA'U
Two People's Representative seats, contested by 22 candidates:
1. Kapeliele Fungalei Cocker, Neiafu
2. Viliami Uasike Latu, Leimatu'a
3. Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Faka'osi, Neiafu
4. Viliami Pasikala, Neiafu
5. To'ofohe Loketi Teaupa, Tu'anuku
6. Moleni Taufa, Matamaka
7. Viliami Kaufusi Helu, Neiafu (incumbent no. 2)
8. Salesi Paea, Fungamisi
9. Masao Paasi, Tu'anekivale
10. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Ovaka (incumbent no. 1)
11. 'Opeti Pulotu, Toula
12. 'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, Leimatu'a
13. Mataiasi Moteini Moala, Neiafu
14. Polutele Tu'ihalamaka, Neiafu
15. Viliula Mafi, Neiafu
16. Paula K Kava, Neiafu
17. 'Ofa Kitokelau Fakalata, Tu'anuku
18. Tongovua Tae Appleton, Hunga
19. Peauafi Tatafu, Nga'unoho
20. Sione Kilipati Lea, Makave
21. Keuli Pasina Lavaki, Neiafu
22.Tevita Moengangongo Saia, Neiafu
HA'APAI:
Two People's Representative seats, contested by nine candidates:
1. 'Uliti Uata, Ha'ano (incumbent no. 1)
2. Sione Tu'itupou Fotu, Hihifo
3. 'Osai Latu, Pangai (incumbent no. 2)
4. Sione Teisina Fuko, Ha'ano
5. Siosaia K Ma'ake Paluto, Pangai
6. Siaosi Vaikona, 'Uiha
7. Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa, Tungua
8. Mo'ale Finau, Hihifo
9. Sosaia Finau, Nomuka
'EUA
One People's Representative seats, contested by eight candidates:
1. Tevita Tupou, Mu'a
2. Sunia Fili, 'Ohonua (incumbent)
3. 'Asipeli Mafi, Futu
4. Siosaia Hausia, 'Ohonua
5. Tevita Lavemaau, Petani
6. Tu'ipulotu Lauaki, 'Ohonua
7. Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau Kaho, 'Ohonua
8. Hakeai Vea Havea, Pangai
Two Niuas
One People's Representative seats, contested by 4 candidates:
1. Lepolo Mahe Taunisila, Hihifo/Niuatoputapu (incumbent)
2. Sione Mafi 'Iloa, Vaipoa.Niuatoputapu
3. Sione Peauafi Haukinima, Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu
4. 'Ofa Simiki, Hihifo/Niuatoputapu
Registration opened at 10:00am yesterday and closed at 3:00pm with registrations announced at 6:30pm last night.