64 candidates in Tongan General Election [1]
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 17:38. Updated on Thursday, May 1, 2014 - 21:43.
A total of 64 candidates, the most ever, are standing in Tonga's General Election to be held on March 16-17 this year, to decide the nine Noble's seats and nine People's seats in the Tongan Legislative Assembly.
Registration closed at 3 p.m. on January 11, and the Supervisor of the election, Pita Vuki, said they had the most candidates ever, with only 50 or so candidates standing for previous elections.
Candidates paid a $200 registration fee, along with the supporting signatures of 50 registered voters.
There are six women candidates this year compared with two in the last election
Tongatapu has the biggest number of candidates, which went up from 16 in the last election to 31 this year, competing for three seats.
New candidates for Tongatapu, include the former Minister of Police, Clive Edwards; the former Secretary General of the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement, Lopeti Senituli; the former superintendent of Tonga...s Hu'atolitoli prison, Semisi Tapueluelu; the oldest candidate Taholo Lelea (80); the man who burnt the Tongan flag in Auckland, New Zealand last year, ...Alani Fisher Taione; and three women's candidates Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku, ...Alisi Pone Fotu, and Sela Lopa Kaisinga. They also include Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa and Sela Kaisinga who were unsuccessful in Ha...apai in previous elections who are trying their luck in Tongatapu this year.
Pita said that the number of candidates for Vava'u increased to 18, being six more than in the last election. New candidates for Vava'u include 'Iunaise Vusenga Helu, a lawyer and a former magistrate; and Sangster Saulala, a broadcaster and the general manager of the Oceania Broadcasting Network OBN.
Ha'apai has fewer candidates this year, seven comparing with 10 in the last election. The new woman candidate for Ha...apai this year is Langilangi Vimahi.
The four candidates for ...Eua this year remain the same number as last time.
In Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou candidates dropped from seven in the last election to only four this year. The one woman candidate for the Niuas is ...Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola.
Pita said that the names of all candidates had been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for their final check to make sure that no one owes government any money, which would disqualify them from standing.
All incumbents, except for Trevor Guttenbeil of Vava'u, are standing for re-election.
The 2005 parliamentary election has been set for mid-march. On March 16 the Nobles will elect their nine representatives. Candidate registration is not required for the nobles election. On March 17 the rest of Tonga elects their nine representatives. The number of polling stations in Tonga has increased from 15 to 18, with eight in Tongatapu, six in Vava'u, two in Ha'apai and two in the Niuas.
Pita said there is no provision for overseas Tongans to vote in this election.
The candidates for the nine People's Representative seats in 2005 Parliamentary Election, with incumbents seeking re-election bold, are -
Tongatapu
1. Semisi P. I. Tapueluelu,Talafo...ou
2. Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku,Ha...ateiho
3. Mumui Tatola,Kolomotu...a
4. 'Alisi Pone Fotu,Kolofo...ou
5. Penisila Save,Ha...akame
6.Tupou Malohi,Kolonga
7. Samuela ...Akilisi Pohiva ,Kolomotu...a
8. Hoatatau Tenisi,Tokomololo
9. 'Aisake Fa...alongo Filimone,Nukunuku
10. Siale Christopher Kava,Haveluloto
11. Semisi Kailahi,Holonga
12. Salesi Kauvaka,Ha...utu
13. Kelepi V. Lamipeti,Makaunga
14. Mateitalo F. Mahu...inga,Pea
15. Sione Lolo Mataele,Te...ekiu
16. 'Alani Fisher Taione,Vaini
17. Kamipeli Tofa...imala...e...aloa,Haveluloto
18.'Isileli Pulu,Ma...ufanga
19. Siosifa Filini Sikuea,Tofoa
20.Taholo Lelea,Kolovai
21.Lesinali Tovo Faleafa,Kolomotu...a
22. Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele,Ma...ufanga
23. Fononga Tu...ipeatau,Ma...ufanga
24. Sela Lopa Kaisinga,Kolofo...ou
25. Semisi Nauto Tu...apasi, ...Ata...ataKolofo...ou
26. Sione Tu...i...onetoa,Makaunga
27. Simione Kau Silapelu,Ma...ufanga
28. William Clive Edwards,Kolofo...ou
29. Sateki Finau,Kolovai
30. Lopeti Senituli,Fahefa
31. Mateaki Heimuli,Kolomotu...a
Vahefonua Vava'u
1. Viliami Kaufusi Helu,Neiafu
2. Sione Sosefo Mailangi,Neiafu
3. Sangster Saulala,Leimatu...a
4. Makasini Fonua,Olo...ua
5. Makelesi Funaki,Ha...akio
6. Pesa Lau...i,Leimatu...a
7. 'Alamoti Tautakitaki,Hunga
8. Sione Finau Lauti,Pangaimotu
9. Peauafi Tatafu,Nga...unoho
10. Sione Katalau Veleika,...Utui
11. Kauhenga Kata,Neiafu
12. 'Inoke Fotu,Neiafu
13. Viliami Politoni Sapoi,Neiafu
14. Masao Paasi,Tu...anekivale
15. 'Iunaise Vusenga Helu,Neiafu
16. 'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu,Leimatu...a
17. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu,Ovaka
18. ...Aliki Halahekeheke Sika,Neiafu
Ha'apai
1. 'Osaiasi Latu,Pangai
2. 'Uliti Uata,Ha...ano
3. Sailosi Vea Fanua,Ha...afeva
4. Langilangi Vimahi,Pangai
5. Sione Talanoa Fifita,Ha...ano
6. Mo...ale Finau,Hihifo
7. Fineasi Funaki,Ha...ano
'Eua
1. Sione ...Ofa Vaka...uta,Pangai
2. Sunia Fili,...Ohonua
3. Sefesi Tupou Kanongata...a Hausia,...Ohonua
4. Finau Sakea Fusitu...a,Sapa...ata
Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou
1. Paula Palelei,Kolofo...ou/Niuafo...ou
2. Sione Peauafi Haukinima,Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu
3.... Oketi Lotulelei ...Akau...ola,Kolofo...ou/Niuafo...ou
4. ...Aisea Ta...ofi,Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu