Tonga's 29 nobles choose their 9 MPs tomorrow [1]
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 22:38. Updated on Monday, July 27, 2015 - 16:20.
Twenty-nine Tongan nobles are eligible to go to the polls and elect their nine representatives to the Tongan Legislature tomorrow, Wednesday, at the Palace Office in Nuku'alofa.
The Supervisor of Election, Pita Vuki, said today that Tonga has 33 nobles but only 29 will be voting tomorrow since four of the titles are currently vacant, ('Ahome'e, Veikune, Ma'atu and Tungi).
He said since the deaths of the late Hon 'Ahome'e and Hon Ma'atu no successor had been appointed, or for the title Tungi that was held by the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
As for the title Veikune, no successor had been appointed after Siosifa Fuatakifolau, the former Veikune, lost his title after being convicted for attempting to evade custom duties.
Pita said the voting will begin at 10am and the nobles not present can cast their votes through fax if they are overseas.
The nine Nobles' Representatives are drawn from the different island groups with three representatives for Tongatapu, two for Vava'u, two for Ha'apai; one representative for 'Eua; and one for the two Niuas (Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou).
The nobles from each group cast their votes for their own group. In the two Niuas this means that three nobles must decide between themselves which one will take the seat in the House for the next three years.
Incumbents
The incumbent Nobles' Representatives for Tongatapu are Hon. Fohe, Hon Vaha'i and Hon Tu'ipelehake.
For Vava'u: Hon Tu'ilakepa and Hon Luani
For Ha'apai: Hon Tu'iha'angana and Hon Tu'iha'ateiho.
Hon Lasike is the incumbent Nobles' Representative for 'Eua while Hon Tangipa represents the two Niuas.
Nobles for Tongatapu and 'Eua
1. 'Ahome'e (vacant)
2. Ata
3. Fielakepa
4. Fohe (incumbent)
5. Kalaniuvalu
6. Lasike (incumbent)
7. Lavaka
8. Ma'afu
9. Nuku
10. Tu'ivakano
11. Tungi (vacant)
12. Vaea
13. Vaha'i (incumbent)
14. Ve'ehala
15. Tu'ipelehake (incumbent)
VAVA'U
1.Fakatulolo
2.Fulivai
3.Luani (incumbent)
4.Tuita
5.Tu'i'afitu
6.Tu'ilakepa (incumbent)
7.'Ulukalala
8.Veikune (vacant)
HA'APAI
1.Fakafanua
2.Malupo
3.Niukapu
4.Tupouto'a
5.Tu'iha'angana (incumbent)
6.Tu'iha'ateiho (incumbent)
NIUATOPUTAPU & NIUAFO'OU
1.Fotofili
2.Fusitu'a
3.Ma'atu (vacant)
4.Tangipa (incumbent).