Only two candidates have registered to run in a By-Election on November 28 to elect a new People’s Representative for Tongatapu 1 to the Tonga Legislative Assembly.

The by election follows the death in September of the late Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister and Tongatapu no.1 People’s Representative.

'Akilisi's son, Siaosi Vailahi Pohiva has registered to contest the seat with Dr Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua.

The two candidates were confirmed by the Electoral Commission today, after registration closed.

The polling stations will open from 9:00am to 4:00pm at various designated places throughout Tonga on Thursday November 28.

In the 2017 General Election Tongatapu 1 Constituency had a total of 2731 ballots, and the late 'Akilisi Pohiva won the seat with 1376.

Woman candidate

Dr Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua, a distinguished Tongan scientist, was recently admitted to an International Scientific Advisory Panel [2] for the World Meteorological Organisation.

Netatua helped to establish the Pacific Meteorological Council in 2011 when she was Director of the Climate Change Program at the Secretariat of the Pacific Environmental Program (SPREP).

Netatua, holds a PhD Degree in Environmental Science, specialising in Sustainable Coastal Resource Monitoring and Assessment, coastal water quality, coral reefs and sea grass, from the Environmental Science Department, University of Wollongong, Australia (2003).

She was a candidate in the 2017 General election, polling in second place behind 'Akilisi Pohiva, out of 11 candidates.

Late PM's son

Siaosi Vailahi Pohiva, a son of the late Prime Minister, Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva, is an educational assesment specialist who has worked for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Assessment Unit of the Education Quality and Assessment Programme.