Police Officer Helepeku who was on duty at Pangai Si'i said that the voting in the Vava'u tent had been heavy ever since it was opened for voting at 9 a.m. this morning until closure at 4. p.m. Vava'u people in Tongatapu are taking this election very seriously, and there may be some truth in the Vava'u saying that "if you win in Tongatapu you win the election".

In comparison the polling places in suburban areas of Nuku'alofa, at Ma'ufanga and Kolofo'ou, were near deserted this morning, and at 10 a.m. when our photographer visited some of the polling places in Nuku...’alofa, the officials were still waiting for voters to arrive for breakfast - where food was provided at some polling places.

The preliminary result of the election should be known by the early hours of Friday morning, March 18.