There are now 73 out of the initial 75 candidates registered in Tonga’s General Election scheduled for November 18.

Electoral Commissioner, Pita Vuki, told Matangi Tonga today that Sione Fonua, candidate No.4 in Tongatapu 2 withdrew his name.

While, the other ‘Inoke Fotu Mafile'o passed away. He was candidate No. 2 also for Tongatapu 2.

"Their names have been removed from the ballot papers."

Meanwhile, physical campaigning have resumed, after Tongatapu’s one-week lockdown was lifted on Monday night, November 2 when there was no COVID-19 transmission detected.

The lockdown was due to the country's first COVID-19 positive case, who arrived on a repatriation flight from Christchurch, on October 27. He is still in quarantine.

The election is on the go ahead, with campaigning required to stop 24-hours before the start of the poll.

Of the now 73 candidates, 16 are incumbent.

Tonga has over 64,000 voters registered to elect their 17 representatives to the Tonga Legislative Assembly made up of 26 members, with 17 seats for People’s Representatives and nine seats for Nobles’ Representatives.