Close contest in Vava'u as Lavulavu and Vaipulu top the polls [1]
Friday, April 25, 2008 - 19:44. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 17:54.
The election of 'Etuate Lavulavu (2116) as the Vava'u No. 1 People's Representative to the Tongan Parliament, brings a former member back into the House after a break of three years; along with incumbent Samiu Vaipulu (1896) who was returned.
Lavulavu has been the most active candidate during the election campaign, and he has been an instigator of a number of villages projects in Vava'u, from the repairing of rusted bridges to the resurfacing of country roads.
The result of the polling reflected where he was particularly active during his campaign, in the western and eastern districts of Vava'u, in his own village of Leimatu'a and also in Tongatapu.
His five main contenders were Viliami Uasike Latu, a fellow Leimatu'a villager; a legendary former Vava'u PR, Masao Paasi; the two incumbent Vava'u PRs Vili Helu Kaufusi, and Samiu Vaipulu; and a new candidate, Salesi Paea.
The two seats for Vava'u were taken by 'Etuate Lavulavu with 2116 votes, and the incumbent Samiu Vaipulu with 1896 votes.
Coming in closely was, Viliami Uasike Latu with 1845 votes. While left behind were Salesi Paea with 1471, Masao Paasi with 1213 and Viliami Kaufusi Helu with 726 votes.
The political group, known as the "Temo" who have close affiliation with the Tongatapu PRs lost their foothold in Vava'u with the loss of Viliami Helu.
The two Vava'u PRs, although pro-reform, are not aligned with what is proposed by Temo PRs.