A total of 64 candidates, the most ever, are standing in Tonga's General Election to be held on March 16-17 this year, to decide the nine Noble's seats and nine People's seats in the Tongan Legislative Assembly.

Registration closed at 3 p.m. on January 11, and the Supervisor of the election, Pita Vuki, said they had the most candidates ever, with only 50 or so candidates standing for previous elections.

Candidates paid a $200 registration fee, along with the supporting signatures of 50 registered voters.

There are six women candidates this year compared with two in the last election

Tongatapu has the biggest number of candidates, which went up from 16 in the last election to 31 this year, competing for three seats.

New candidates for Tongatapu, include the former Minister of Police, Clive Edwards; the former Secretary General of the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement, Lopeti Senituli; the former superintendent of Tonga...’s Hu'atolitoli prison, Semisi Tapueluelu; the oldest candidate Taholo Lelea (80); the man who burnt the Tongan flag in Auckland, New Zealand last year, ...‘Alani Fisher Taione; and three women's candidates Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku, ...‘Alisi Pone Fotu, and Sela Lopa Kaisinga. They also include Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa and Sela Kaisinga who were unsuccessful in Ha...’apai in previous elections who are trying their luck in Tongatapu this year.

Pita said that the number of candidates for Vava'u increased to 18, being six more than in the last election. New candidates for Vava'u include 'Iunaise Vusenga Helu, a lawyer and a former magistrate; and Sangster Saulala, a broadcaster and the general manager of the Oceania Broadcasting Network OBN.

Ha'apai has fewer candidates this year, seven comparing with 10 in the last election. The new woman candidate for Ha...’apai this year is Langilangi Vimahi.

The four candidates for ...‘Eua this year remain the same number as last time.

In Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou candidates dropped from seven in the last election to only four this year. The one woman candidate for the Niuas is ...‘Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola.

Pita said that the names of all candidates had been handed over to the Ministry of Justice for their final check to make sure that no one owes government any money, which would disqualify them from standing.

All incumbents, except for Trevor Guttenbeil of Vava'u, are standing for re-election.

The 2005 parliamentary election has been set for mid-march. On March 16 the Nobles will elect their nine representatives. Candidate registration is not required for the nobles election. On March 17 the rest of Tonga elects their nine representatives. The number of polling stations in Tonga has increased from 15 to 18, with eight in Tongatapu, six in Vava'u, two in Ha'apai and two in the Niuas.

Pita said there is no provision for overseas Tongans to vote in this election.

The candidates for the nine People's Representative seats in 2005 Parliamentary Election, with incumbents seeking re-election bold, are -

Tongatapu

1. Semisi P. I. Tapueluelu,Talafo...’ou

2. Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku,Ha...’ateiho

3. Mumui Tatola,Kolomotu...’a

4. 'Alisi Pone Fotu,Kolofo...’ou

5. Penisila Save,Ha...’akame

6.Tupou Malohi,Kolonga

7. Samuela ...‘Akilisi Pohiva ,Kolomotu...’a

8. Hoatatau Tenisi,Tokomololo

9. 'Aisake Fa...’alongo Filimone,Nukunuku

10. Siale Christopher Kava,Haveluloto

11. Semisi Kailahi,Holonga

12. Salesi Kauvaka,Ha...’utu

13. Kelepi V. Lamipeti,Makaunga

14. Mateitalo F. Mahu...’inga,Pea

15. Sione Lolo Mataele,Te...’ekiu

16. 'Alani Fisher Taione,Vaini

17. Kamipeli Tofa...’imala...’e...’aloa,Haveluloto

18.'Isileli Pulu,Ma...’ufanga

19. Siosifa Filini Sikuea,Tofoa

20.Taholo Lelea,Kolovai

21.Lesinali Tovo Faleafa,Kolomotu...’a

22. Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele,Ma...’ufanga

23. Fononga Tu...’ipeatau,Ma...’ufanga

24. Sela Lopa Kaisinga,Kolofo...’ou

25. Semisi Nauto Tu...’apasi, ...‘Ata...’ataKolofo...’ou

26. Sione Tu...’i...’onetoa,Makaunga

27. Simione Kau Silapelu,Ma...’ufanga

28. William Clive Edwards,Kolofo...’ou

29. Sateki Finau,Kolovai

30. Lopeti Senituli,Fahefa

31. Mateaki Heimuli,Kolomotu...’a

Vahefonua Vava'u

1. Viliami Kaufusi Helu,Neiafu

2. Sione Sosefo Mailangi,Neiafu

3. Sangster Saulala,Leimatu...’a

4. Makasini Fonua,Olo...’ua

5. Makelesi Funaki,Ha...’akio

6. Pesa Lau...’i,Leimatu...’a

7. 'Alamoti Tautakitaki,Hunga

8. Sione Finau Lauti,Pangaimotu

9. Peauafi Tatafu,Nga...’unoho

10. Sione Katalau Veleika,...‘Utui

11. Kauhenga Kata,Neiafu

12. 'Inoke Fotu,Neiafu

13. Viliami Politoni Sapoi,Neiafu

14. Masao Paasi,Tu...’anekivale

15. 'Iunaise Vusenga Helu,Neiafu

16. 'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu,Leimatu...’a

17. Samiu Kuita Vaipulu,Ovaka

18. ...’Aliki Halahekeheke Sika,Neiafu

Ha'apai

1. 'Osaiasi Latu,Pangai

2. 'Uliti Uata,Ha...’ano

3. Sailosi Vea Fanua,Ha...’afeva

4. Langilangi Vimahi,Pangai

5. Sione Talanoa Fifita,Ha...’ano

6. Mo...’ale Finau,Hihifo

7. Fineasi Funaki,Ha...’ano

'Eua

1. Sione ...‘Ofa Vaka...’uta,Pangai

2. Sunia Fili,...‘Ohonua

3. Sefesi Tupou Kanongata...’a Hausia,...‘Ohonua

4. Finau Sakea Fusitu...’a,Sapa...’ata

Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou

1. Paula Palelei,Kolofo...’ou/Niuafo...’ou

2. Sione Peauafi Haukinima,Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu

3....’ Oketi Lotulelei ...‘Akau...’ola,Kolofo...’ou/Niuafo...’ou

4. ...’Aisea Ta...’ofi,Vaipoa/Niuatoputapu