Seventy one candidates were registered yesterday to compete for the nine People's Representative seats in Tonga's April 24 Parliamentary General Election.

The 71 candidates include 28 for Tongatapu, 22 for Vava'u, nine for Ha'apai, eight for 'Eua, and four from the remote islands of Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou.

There are seven more candidates in this year's election than the 64 candidates who were registered for the last general election in 2005.

There are eight women candidates. The three women candidates for Tongatapu are Mele 'Amanaki, 'Akanete Lauti and 'Alisi Pone Fotu. The two women candidates for Vava'u are Temaleti Faka'osi and Tongovua Tae Appleton; one for 'Eua, Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau Kaho; and two for the two Niuas, Lepolo Taunisila and 'Ofa Simiki.

All nine incumbent People's Representatives are standing for re-election.

To register as candidates, individuals must be Tongan nationals and need 50 signatures of endorsement from their registered district before paying a registration fee of $200 to the registrar of electors.

There are no political parties in the registration system and candidates stand as individuals .

TONGATAPU

Three People's Representative seats, contested by 28 candidates:

1. Sitiveni Takaetali Finau, Nukunuku

2. Semisi Palu 'Ifoni Tapueluelu, Talafo'ou

3. William Clive Edwards, Kolofo'ou (incumbent no. 3)

4. Sulunga Lavaka, Kolomotu'a

5. Sione Tu'i'onetoa, Makaunga

6. Mele Teusivi 'Amanaki, Kolofo'ou

7. 'Isileli Pulu, Ma'ufanga (incumbent no. 2)

8. Punalei Nuku, Kolofo'ou

9. Tupou Malohi, Kolonga

10. 'Inoke Fotu Hu'akau, Kolomotu'a

11. Mateaki Ki he Lotu Heimuli, Kolomotu'a

12. Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva, Kolomotu'a (incumbent no. 1)

13. Malu Faletau, Kolofo'ou

14. 'Akanete Ta'ai Lauti, Te'ekiu

15. Semisi Nauto Tuapasi 'Ata'ata, Kolofo'ou

16. 'Alani Fisher Taione, Vaini

17. 'Alisi Pone Fotu, Kolofo'ou

18. Sateki Finau, Fo'ui

19. Hoatatau Tenisi, Tokomololo

20. Semisi 'Ofa Fukofuka, Tatakamotonga

21. Filimone Fifita, Fua'amotu

22. 'Eliu Hafoka, Kolofo'ou

23. 'Eliesa Fifita, Kolomotu'a

24. Salesi Kauvaka, Ha'utu

25. Sione Sangster Saulala, Tofoa

26. Latanoa Pikula, Navutoka

27. Sione Tu'itavake Fonua, Kolofo'ou

28. Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahu'inga, Pea

VAVA'U

Two People's Representative seats, contested by 22 candidates:

1. Kapeliele Fungalei Cocker, Neiafu

2. Viliami Uasike Latu, Leimatu'a

3. Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Faka'osi, Neiafu

4. Viliami Pasikala, Neiafu

5. To'ofohe Loketi Teaupa, Tu'anuku

6. Moleni Taufa, Matamaka

7. Viliami Kaufusi Helu, Neiafu (incumbent no. 2)

8. Salesi Paea, Fungamisi

9. Masao Paasi, Tu'anekivale

10. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, Ovaka (incumbent no. 1)

11. 'Opeti Pulotu, Toula

12. 'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu, Leimatu'a

13. Mataiasi Moteini Moala, Neiafu

14. Polutele Tu'ihalamaka, Neiafu

15. Viliula Mafi, Neiafu

16. Paula K Kava, Neiafu

17. 'Ofa Kitokelau Fakalata, Tu'anuku

18. Tongovua Tae Appleton, Hunga

19. Peauafi Tatafu, Nga'unoho

20. Sione Kilipati Lea, Makave

21. Keuli Pasina Lavaki, Neiafu

22.Tevita Moengangongo Saia, Neiafu

HA'APAI:

Two People's Representative seats, contested by nine candidates:

1. 'Uliti Uata, Ha'ano (incumbent no. 1)

2. Sione Tu'itupou Fotu, Hihifo

3. 'Osai Latu, Pangai (incumbent no. 2)

4. Sione Teisina Fuko, Ha'ano

5. Siosaia K Ma'ake Paluto, Pangai

6. Siaosi Vaikona, 'Uiha

7. Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa, Tungua

8. Mo'ale Finau, Hihifo

9. Sosaia Finau, Nomuka

'EUA

One People's Representative seats, contested by eight candidates:

1. Tevita Tupou, Mu'a

2. Sunia Fili, 'Ohonua (incumbent)

3. 'Asipeli Mafi, Futu

4. Siosaia Hausia, 'Ohonua

5. Tevita Lavemaau, Petani

6. Tu'ipulotu Lauaki, 'Ohonua

7. Veisinia Tupou Tu'itakau Kaho, 'Ohonua

8. Hakeai Vea Havea, Pangai

Two Niuas

One People's Representative seats, contested by 4 candidates:

1. Lepolo Mahe Taunisila, Hihifo/Niuatoputapu (incumbent)

2. Sione Mafi 'Iloa, Vaipoa.Niuatoputapu

3. Sione Peauafi Haukinima, Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu

4. 'Ofa Simiki, Hihifo/Niuatoputapu

Registration opened at 10:00am yesterday and closed at 3:00pm with registrations announced at 6:30pm last night.