Mo'ale Finau, the former Ha’apai No. 12 People’s Representative, who lost his seat by a margin of three votes, has applied for a recount of his ballot with the Electoral Commission in Nuku’alofa.

In the November 27 General Election Vili Manuopangai Hingano won the seat with 535 votes to Mo’ale's 532 votes.

The Electoral Commission has received the only one application for a recount.

The Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki went to Ha’apai on Friday to oversee the recount, and expected the result to be announced next week.

A candidate must pay a fee of $1,000 for requesting a recount. The Supervisor will count the votes and his decision is final.

All candidates must odge their statement of expenses with the Supervisor of Elections within 14 days from the election. Candidates are limited to spending $10,000 pa'anga on their campaigns.