Tomavilanova Tu’ipulotu is the third Tongatapu candidate to be disqualified from contesting Thursday's General Election, after he was found to have not been living at Tongatapu No.9 Constituency, which he nominated for.

The Commissioner and Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki said today, Tu’ipulotu was registered to contest Tongatapu No. 9 constituency from Fua'amotu, where apparently one of his parents comes from.

“However, it was reported to us by another candidate that Tu'ipulotu was not living at his constituency. He was found to have been living at Ma'ufanga.”

“He failed to meet the requirements under Section 9 of the Electoral Act that a candidate must reside in the constituency nominated for at least three-months. We confirmed this with the Attorney-General's office and informed Tu'ipulotu of his disqualification on 15 November,” he said.

This brings the total number of candidates to 105 following the first disqualification of Tongatapu No. 4 woman candidate Palu Taufateau for an outstanding debt in court on 24 October, the nomination day.

Sione Tupouniua's candidacy for Tongatapu No.1 constituency was also disqualified by the Court of Appeal last week.

Pita said all candidates must cease campaigning and take down all posters and advertisements by 9:00 am tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November.