With the General Election just two days away on Thursday 27 November, some Tongatapu candidates heated up their campaigns coming out with loud colourful  parades on Saturday, 22 November, particularly in central Nuku'alofa.

Hot competiton was seen in Tongatapu No.3 where  parliamentary candidates who are running for the first time Siaosi Sovaleni, Tevita Palu and Gabriella 'Ilolahia all took to the roads with balloons loud music and their supporters, while supporters for William Clive Edwards for No.3 constituency lined up along Vuna Road waving placards and chanting with their campaign.

Generally, the incumbant MPs have the slickest billboards. In some places around the capital a few campaign billboards have been defaced. Graffiti artists have even given one woman candidate a beard and a moustache.

Tongatapu No.2 candidate Tevita Kaitu'u Fotu rallied his floats starting with prayers at the Mamaloa grounds.

However, It was quiet elsewhere in the capital. In Tongatapu no.1, where veteran parliamentarian 'Akilisi Pohiva in the last election won with a large margin, there was scarcely a campaign billboard or poster to be seen from anyone.

There are 106 candidates, including 16 women who are contesting the 17 People's Representatives seats to parliament, with a total of 51,448 registered to cast their votes in 169 polling stations throughout Tonga.

Candidates are expected to continue campaigning today and tomorrow before ceasing 24 hours prior to the start of the voting at 9:00am on Thursday, election day.