The new People's Representative for Ha'apai in the Tonga Legislative Assembly is 'Osai Latu of Pangai, Ha'apai, who won a July 20 By Election well ahead of his nearest rival, former MP Teisina Fuko.

'Osai Latu with 1082 votes won the seat that was vacated by Fineasi Funaki former Ha'apai No. 2 People's Representative who was appointed as the new Minister of Tourism on May 16.

This is 'Osai's first time in the House. He was formerly an officer with the Ministry of Agriculture in Ha'apai for 29 years, and he decided to retire from his position as agriculture manager for Ha'apai during the recent redundancy program and run for election. He previously stood in the General Election in March 2005 when he came in third closely behind Fineasi.

In last week's by election 'Osai was well ahead of a former MP Sione Teisina Fuko of Ha'’ano who had 745 votes. However, Teisina had the most votes in the main polling station at Pangai Si'i, Tongatapu, where he polled 343 votes.

Other results were:

Tevita Niumataevalu Manu of Ha'’ano, 446;

Mo...’ale Finau of Hihifo, 430;

Viliami Koloi of Lotofoa, 260;

Kava Fietonu of 'O'u'a, 183;

Sione '‘Ofa ki Muli Manu of Holopeka, 97;

and Sione Mahe Uta, 5 votes.

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