Early unofficial results from Tongatapu polling places indicate a close contest for Tongatapu 3 constituency with three polling places topped by different candidates, Tevita Palu, Siaosi Sovaleni and Clive Edwards.

A total of 105 candidates, 38 less than in 2010, are competing for the 17 People's Representatives seats, in the 26-seat Tonga Legislative Assembly.  Their ages range from the youngest at 26 years to veteran politician Clive Edwards an appointed minister, who at 80 years of age is seeking another four years at the helm

Polling closed at 4:00pm today in the General Election and according to the unofficial results broadcast from the initial count at the polling stations, there are several closely contested constituencies.

In Tongatapu 8 Semisi Fakahau and in Tongatapu 9 Vika Fusimalohi are showing promising results, but it is not clear whether they can pass the incumbents.

Semisi Fakahau is fisheries and agriculture consultant, who has worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat. He is challenging incumbent Sione Taione.

The well-qualified Vika Fusimalohi in Tongatapu no. 9, a respected community leader who was an acting Cabinet minister in 2004, is among the women running for the first time. She is challenging incumbent Falisi Tupou, a Tongan journalist and politician. He is a senior editor at Keleʻa, the newspaper of the pro-democracy movement, owned by ʻAkilisi Pohiva.

'Akilisi Pohiva Tongatapu 1 incumbent is showing up strongly, while a woman challenger 'Ana Bing Fonua  (34) -an impressively coherent and well qualified aid program coordinator has hardly made an impact.

'Aisake Eke in Tongatapu 5 with only three challengers is expected to regain his seat easily.

Candidates for the 17 People's Representatives seats are running as individuals or in party groups, particularly those who support 'Akilisi Pohiva's pro-democracy campaigns.

In this election there are 21 percent more voters than four years ago, as a heavily-young population in this Pacific Island nation increasingly comes of age. There are 51,448 registered voters (about half of the population).

Polling places in Tongatapu today were well ordered and calm, with fragrant gardenias placed next to the ballot boxes.

The 17 People's Representatives will have to wait until later this evening when a recounting at the Tonga Electoral Commission office in Nuku'alofa confirms the polls, before they can enjoy the sweet smell of success.