THE former Speaker of the House, Hon Tu'ilakepa was re-elected into the Tonga Legislative Assembly today, November 25, while two new MPs Hon. Vaea and Hon. Tu'i'afitu will enter the House.

The result of the nobles election for the nine Nobles' Representatives seats was announced after 4pm today. The Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki counted the ballot after 34 nobles, including three of the king's Law Lords cast their votes beginning at 10:00 am.

The results were

Tongatapu:
Tu'ivakano, 13 votes,
Ma'afu, 10 votes ,
Vaea, 8 votes.

Vava'u:
Tu'i'afitu, 4 votes
Tu'ilakepa, 4 votes

Ha'apai
Fakafanua, 4 votes
Tu'iha'ateiho, 4 votes

'Eua
Hon Lasike, 6 votes

Niuas (Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou)
Fusitu'a, 1 vote (replacing Hon Tangipa.)

Pita Vuki said that 31 of the 33 nobles were eligible to vote today, excluding three titles that remain vacant: 'Ahome'e, Ma'atu and Fohe. Also eligible to vote for the first time were three Law Lords, Lord Tufui, Lord Tupou and Lord Dalgety.

He said the nobles who were not physically present faxed through their votes including Ata, 'Ulukalala, Malupo, Tuita, Tangipa and Tu'i'afitu.

The nobles' election ended this afternoon in a happy and unified tone with a lot of hugs and teary eyes among some reelected members.

In the Niuas, the elderly Fusitu'a has replaced Tangipa.