Forty-five parliamentary candidates, including nine women, have registered today to contest Tongatapu's 10 constituencies in the November 27 General Election, while more are expected to register tomorrow on the final day of nominations.

The first day of nominations closed at 3:00pm this afternoon in Nuku'alofa.

The Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said the candidates for the outer islands of Vava'u, Ha'apai, 'Eua and the two Niuas would be confirmed tomorrow Friday, October 24, when the numbers come into the Electoral Commission.

He expected more people would turn up tomorrow.

“After 3:00pm candidates will draw their numbers that will appear on the ballot papers and a full candidates list will be announced in the evening. In the meantime, nine of the 10 current Tongatapu People's Representatives are standing again with the exception of the Tongatapu 3 People's Representative Dr Sitiveni Halapua.

There were 147 candidates nationally in the last General Election in 2010, including nine women.

The nominations was held from 10:00am to 3pm throughout Tonga when candidates paid $400 each, and presented not less than 50 signatures from registered voters from their constituencies, as well as two letters from the Magistrate's Court and Supreme Court confirming they have no outstanding debt from the courts.

Todays nominations included:

Candidates

Tongatapu 1

• Samuela ‘Akilisi Pohiva
• ‘Eliesa Fifita
• ‘Emeline Tuita (woman)
• Mosese Manuofetoa

Tongatapu 2

• Soane Patita Fifita
• Semisi Sika
• Kaitu’u Fotu

Tongatapu 3

• Gabriella ‘Ilolahia (woman)
• William Clive Edwards
• Tevita Palu
• Simote Vea
• Mele ‘Amanaki (woman)
• Siaosi Sovaleni

Tongatapu 4

• ‘Isileli Pulu
• ‘Etuate Sakalia
• Mateni Tapueluelu
• Seketi Fuko (woman)
• Palu Taufateau (woman)
• Tevita Koloamatangi

Tongatapu 5

• Viliami Mangisi
• ‘Aisake Eke
• Maliu Takai

Tongatapu 6

• Salesi Fotu
• Siosifa Tu’utafaiva
• Sione Tafuna

Tongatapu 7

• ‘Atalasa Pouvalu
• Pinomi Prescott (woman)
• Siosifa Filini Sikuea
• ‘Amanaki Paea Molitika
• Mavaetangi Manavahetau (woman)
• Sangster Saulala

Tongatapu 8

• Sione Taione
• Mafile’o Mataele
• Semisi Fakahau
• Tu’i Uata

Tongatapu 9

• Penisimani Fifita
• Falisi Tupou
• Tevita Tupu’ofa
• Samipeni Finau
• Vika Fusimalohi (woman)

Tongatapu 10

• Faka’osilea Kaufusi
• Daniel Fale
• Pohiva Tu’ionetoa
• Semisi Tapueluelu
• Seini Teu (woman)