Tongatapu Polling Results [2]

Niuas Polling Results [3]

Tonga's sacked Minister of Police, William Clive Edwards, will re-enter the Tongan parliament after snatching a Tongatapu People's Representative seat in today's by- election.

He won with 5,459 votes, and close behind him was Finau Hevaha Tutone, of Haveluloto, with 4,735 votes. A total of 14,243 voters were registered for the by-election, but the final turnout will be confirmed tomorrow.

Clive who becomes the Tongatapu no. 3 People's Representative, and a woman, Lepolo Mahe Taunisila, who becomes the Niuas People's Representative, will replace the members who were appointed to Cabinet on March 21.

Clive was one of 18 candidates running for the Tongatapu seat vacated by Dr Feleti Sevele, who became the new Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries.

Lepolo was one of five candidates standing for the Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou People's seat vacated by Sione Peauafi Haukinima, who became the Minister of Forestry. She won with 455 votes, ahead of Feinga 'Iloa, of Vaipoa, Niuafo'ou, with 335 votes.

Clive's victory adds a new dimension to Tongan politics. After being dismissed from Cabinet by the King last year, Clive ran in the March parliamentary election, and did not get a seat. But now that he has made a come back with a newly-formed People's Democratic Party behind him, it is anticipated that he will make a memorable contribution to Tongan politics in the coming 2005 parliamentary session to be opened later this month.

Meanwhile, Lepolo, a teacher from the isolated northern Niuas islands, has succeeded in being the only woman entering the House, which has been an all male preserve for many years. She is not the first woman to be elected to the Tongan parliament, but is one of several women who stood for election this year.

Finau Tutone, who ran a close second to Clive Edwards, was the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement's candidate, but he failed to beat the PDP candidate.

The final results for the 2005 By-election announced by the Registrar of Elections were:

Tongatapu

1 William Clive Edwards 5,459

2 Finau Hevaha Tutone 4,735

3 Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahu'inga 1,856

4 Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku 840

5 Semisi Kailahi 305

6 Viliami Kini Mangisi 196

7 Alisi Pone Fotu129

8 Nalesoni Leka 107

9 Isikeli Vave 97

10 Semisi Tupou 90

11Fonongaika Tu'ipeatau 86

12 Semisi P. I. Tapueluelu 85

13 Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa 68

14 Kaio Vehikite 64

15 Siosaia Kamea 45

16 Aisake Fa'alongo Filimone 30

17 Pita Uikelotu 26

18 Hoatata Tenisi 25

Niuatoputapu and Niuafo'ou

Lepolo Mahe Taunisila455

Feinga 'Iloa 335

Falaniai Taukei'aho236

'Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola129

Sione Kietonga Lauteau Holi76

 

 

Tongatapu Polling Results [2]

Niuas Polling Results [3]

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