By Finau Fonua and Eleanor Gee

Tonga’s new parliament was elected by less than half of the country. Only 47.9% of voters cast their votes for winning candidates. Furthermore, 10 of the 17 People’s Representatives who were elected in last week’s snap general election, were supported by less than half of the total number of voters who turned out in their respective constituencies.

According to official results released by Tonga’s Electoral Office following the 16 November 2017 Snap Election, the total turnout of voters numbered 39,523. Of that total number, 47.9% (18,933) voted for winning candidates, whilst 52.1% (20,590) voted for failed candidates. Ten People’s Reps were elected via a minority vote with most of their constituents voting for rival candidates.

Seven People's Reps secured a majority of the turnout in their constituencies. The former Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva won 50.4% of Tongatapu 1, securing 1,376 votes in a constituency of 2,731 voters (where 1,355 voters supported other candidates).

The candidate with the biggest majority vote percentage was Saia Piukala of Vava'u 14, who was reelected with 61.28%.

The People’s Rep with the lowest percentage vote was Samiu Vaipulu of Vava’u 15 who was reelected by only 32.2% of his constituency.

In Tonga’s largest constituency Tongatapu 3 (3,207 turnout), the winning candidate Siaosi Sovaleni secured 44.31% of votes.

The constituency with the highest voter turnout was Ongo Niua 17, in the far north of Tonga, where 75.31% of registered voters cast their votes.

Those who did not vote

There are 59,003 voters on the rolls this year, but some 33.02% (19,480) of eligible registered voters did not bother to cast a vote in the election. Every registered voter is entitled to cast one vote for one candidate in his or her constituency.

In the constituency of Tongatapu 1, the number of registered voters who did not vote was 1,525 people (35.83%). That number is more than the number of people who voted for the winning candidate ‘Akilisi Pohiva (1,376 voters).

The constituency with the lowest voter turnout was Tongatapu 2 where 41.92% (1,541) of registered voters did not turn-up at the polling booths.

Only six of the 17 elected People’s Reps secured more votes than the number of people who did not vote. Those candidates were:

Pohiva Tu’ionetoa of Tongatapu 10,
Tevita Lavemaau of ‘Eua 11,
Veivosa Taka of Ha’apai 13,
Saia Piukala of Vava’u 14,
‘Akosita Lavulavu of Vava’u 16
Vatau Hui of Ongo Niua 17.

Net gains

Nine of the eleven People’s Reps who were reelected saw net gains in their votes from the 2014 election, with the largest increase going to Mateni Tapueluelu (1436 votes up from 783), Penisimani Fifita (1302 votes up from 692) and Siaosi Sovaleni (1421 votes up from 999).

Only two People’s Reps saw a decline in votes, they were ‘Akilisi Pohiva (1,376 votes down from 1,482) and Samiu Vaipulu (684 down from 747). Pohiva lost 106 votes while Vaipulu lost 63 votes.

Three  former People’s Reps who failed to get re-elected were ‘Aisake Eke, Sosefo Vakata and Viliami Hingano. ‘Aisake Eke suffered the biggest loss (953 down from 1682) losing his Tongatapu 5 seat to Losaline Ma’asi.

Viliami Hingano was the only failed incumbent whose vote increased (538 to 588) but he still lost his Ha’apai 12 seat to Mo’ale Finau (635).

Nobles Representatives

All re-elected Noble Representatives saw a surplus in votes or no decline. Lord Tu’ivakano had the largest increase (8 up to 12) followed by Lord Nuku (7 up to 10).  Only two Noble’s Representatives failed to get re-elected: Tu’i Ha’ateiho (ousted by Lord Fakafanua via majority vote) and Lord Vaea (lost to Lord Vaha'i in a coin toss).

Generations

The voter turnout was split in half between young voters aged 21-40 years (49.79%) and older voters aged 41-81+ years (50.21%).