By Matangi Tonga reporters

After a slow day, polling stations closed across Tonga at 4:00pm. Tonight, as ballots are counted, the people await the outcome of the “quietest” General Election in memory.

Polling started at 9:00am at 191 polling stations across Tonga, 93 of which are in Tongatapu.

Speaking to Matangi Tonga at the Mataika Free Weslyean Church Hall, Starlet Huni described this election as “cheerless.”

“There aren’t that many people at the polling stations, I feel that it’s the quietest election this year, quieter than the elections during Covid.”

In 2021 only 61% of registered voters turned-out.

In 2025 there are 64,707 registered voters [2] eligible to elect 17 People's Representatives from 71 candidate, to the Legislative Assembly.

The day saw cloudy periods with scattered showers across Tonga and long queues at petrol stations, as a shipment of petrol was distributed to relieve shortages experienced over the last week.

Political awareness

Takitoa Taumoepeau a voter in Tongatapu 2, thought that political activities were much more visible than the last election.

“I believe comparing this election to the previous one, it is very clear after the [Vote of No Confidence] VONC last year that we are moving in a more political field. People are now looking towards that.”

He believed that this heightened political awareness meant voters were now "concerned about who they think are the best candidates to get their votes."

For Tongatapu 2, Takitoa believed a new person would be the best choice.

New people, new plans

Viliami Mahe from Ha’apai said, “I voted for a new running candidate who pushes for reforms and has good goals for the future. I want to see change so I voted for him.”

The LDS Taufa'ahau Hall was crowded compared to other polling stations. First-time voter, Keilyn, registered at Ha’apai 13 but residing in Tongatapu for school, said that there was a long queue at the Ha’apai polling station since it opened in the morning.

“Most of the voters I know here are visiting Tongatapu for the holidays and others live here, like myself,” she said.

She said that some of the voters registered at Ha’apai but living in Tongatapu are the displaced communities and families that fell victim to the HTHH volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022.

Petrol first

At Kolomotu’a bowser this morning, the long queue of cars affected voters attempting to get to the polls.

Suliana Pale from Tokomololo, voting in Tongatapu 7, had been waiting at the bowser since 6:00am.

She said, "I’m not sure yet if I will get to vote. I will try to get there but not until I get some petrol.”

Maikolo Finau from Longolongo said he was at the bowser at 5:00am, but he was eager to vote.

 “I will go vote. I will vote for Ti Puloka (Tevita Puloka). Our whole block is voting for Ti Puloka.”

Siua Piutau from Kolomotu’a said, “We are waiting to get petrol first, then we will go to the voting place. We’ve been waiting here since 4:30 am.”

Siua said that if he did not get petrol, he might have to walk to the polling station but he said it was located quite far from his home.

Takitoa Taumoepeau from Tongatapu 2 expressed concern over the current petrol shortage, which is causing long queues at fuel stations.

He believed it was impacting the election. “People are losing their opportunities to vote. Not only that, candidates also would lose votes that they may have gotten from those people who didn’t get to vote because they have no petrol. The government should have thought long about that issue and maybe the election should have been delayed.”

About four other people queuing for petrol said they would not be voting today due to the current petrol shortage.