A complaint has been lodged by a voter on behalf of Dr Netatua Pelesikoti Taufatofua calling to void the Tongatapu 1 By Election results, alleging electoral irregularities and malpractice.

Supervisor for Elections, Pita Vuki, confirmed this afternoon, they have received the complaint and will look into the allegations. 

The complaint submitted by 'Eliesa Fifita and Kolomotu'a voters in a press release on December 6, said they submitted their letter of complaint to the Supervisor of Elections, calling for urgent and thorough investigation of the By-Election that was held on November 28.

'Eliesa said, he was asked by Dr Netatua's supporters to lodge the complaint because they were not satisifed with the way the election was conducted.

The complaint was submitted to the Electoral Commission on December 5.

Allegations 

1.The complaint alleged that 20 plus new voters unlawfully voted. 

Electoral Commission’s Act, Section 4(3) allows people to change their place of registration, providing they live at the place of their new registration for 3 months. 

Allegations made that many new faces turned up and voted at the Sopu and Hala-'o-Vave polling booths and that quite a few people voted without being registered. 

They also alleged that between July & November 2019, about 20 people changed registration mostly to Hala-'o-Vave and Sopu, enabling them to vote in the By-Election, but have not lived there for three months as required by the Law.

2. Allegations then pointed to Election Administrators allowing people to vote without sighting their identifications.

Section 12(3) of the Electoral Commission’s Act 2012 states that every voter should show identification (id) at the polls before casting his/her vote.

'Eliesa said, they have evidence that a lot of people who were allowed by the election administrators to vote without sighting their identifications.

"These people are prepared to provide affidavits to this effect if required. Once again we believe that the Electoral Commission Election administrators invited the public to join them in breaking the Electoral Law."

3. Displaying of a page with Siaosi Pohiva’s name, on election day, on the administrators desk at Hala-o-Vave polling.

He claimed, voters had reported when they approached the voting table at the Hala-'o-Vave booth, they saw a sign with Siaosi's name on the table. This is regarded as advertising Siaosi on the By-Election Day, by the election administrators.

4. Threats and Intimidation of Voters

This is in relation to a PTOA facebook page headed by Siaosi photo.

'Eliesa alleged that since the By-Election campaign started, they posted life-threatening remarks to Dr Netatua and her supporters violating Section 22 (1) (2) (3) of the Electoral Act 2012.

The complaint was also sent to the Attorney General, Ombudsman and Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the Tongatapu 1 By-Election was won by Siaosi with 1160 votes, only 16 votes ahead of Dr Netatua, who had a total of 1144.