A by-election to elect two new Noble'’s Representatives to the Tonga Legislative Assembly has been set for March 30.


Pita Vuki, the Supervisor for Election said today that the By-Election would allow Tongatapu nobles to elect one representative to take the parliamentary seat of the late Hon. ...‘Ahome...’e who died last month.

The by-election will also enable the nobles of Vava...’u to elect a representative to take over the seat of Noble Veikune, who was stripped of his noble title and his seat in the House after he was found guilty of bribery charges in the Supreme Court on January 25.

This is the third by-election to be held in Tonga since the 2005 Parliamentary General Election in March 2005.

First by-election

The first by-election was held on May 3, 2005 to elect two new Nobles Representatives and two new People...’s Representatives to take over the seats of four elected members of parliament who were appointed as Cabinet Ministers.

For Tongatapu, the Hon. ...‘Ahome...’e was elected to take over the seat of the Tongatapu No. 3 nobles representative, Hon. Tu...’ivakano, who was appointed as the Minister of Works, and Hon. Lasike was elected, taking over the ...‘Eua noble seat from Hon. Nuku who was appointed as the Minister of Police.

In this first by-election Clive Edwards was elected, to fill the Tongatapu No. 3 People's Representative seat, which was vacated by Dr Feleti Sevele when he was appointed as the Minister for Labour, Commerce and Industries. Lepolo Taunisila was also elected, taking the Niuatoputapu and Niuafo...’ou seat that was vacated by Peauafi Haukinima when he was appointed as the Minister for Forestry.

Second by-election

The second by...–election was held on July 15, 2005, to fill the Tongatapu No. 1 Noble's Representative seat, following the death of Noble Vaha...’i on May 21, and Prince Tu...’ipelehake took the seat.