Results for election petition

The election of Tatafu Moeaki as the Tongatapu No. 4 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly was declared void by a Supreme Court judge today, who found that he committed bribery on two occasions, in the lead-up to the November 2021 General Election. Moeaki, the current Minister of Finance, is the second Cabinet Minister the court has found to have committed the offence of bribery under the Electoral Act.

The election of Sione Sangster Saulala as the Tongatapu No. 7 People’s Representative to the Legislative Assembly has been declared void by the Lord Chief Justice, who this morning found that he committed bribery on two occasions, during the November 2021 General Election campaign. After his election Saulala was appointed as the current Minister for Internal Affairs. The Lord Chief Justice said Mr Saulala was an unimpressive witness. By Linny Folau.

An election petition filed against Tongatapu No. 2 People’s Representative to Parliament, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, for alleged bribery, during the 2021 General Election campaign was dismissed by the Supreme Court. The petition was filed by a rival candidate Semisi Sika, who has been ordered by the court to pay the Dr Fasi's costs of the proceedings.

The trial to hear an election petition filed against Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu for illegal campaigning and corruption continued today Monday, 14 December when the Supreme Court in Neiafu heard some of the remaining witnesses for the defendant.

Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu denied allegations of illegal campaigning and corruption in the 2014 General Election, during his evidence to the Supreme Court in Neiafu on Friday, 4 December.

A trial to hear an election petition filed against the Minister of Tourism and Vava’u No.16 People’s Representative to Parliament Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu which was to continue today was further adjourned to Tuesday, 1 December in Neiafu.

A trial to hear an election petition against Hon ‘Etuate Lavulavu for alleged corruption during his election campaign last year will go ahead on 25 November, after the Chief Justice dismissed two applications by Lavulavu, made on 13 November, for the trial to be adjourned. The Chief Justice stated "This court must...ensure the just but efficient and speedy hearing of an electoral petition and to discourage frivolous applications which have been the intention or effect of delaying the hearing."

A trial date has been set for July 13-31 this year to hear an election petition filed against Hon 'Etuate Lavulavu the Minister for Infrastructure and Vava'u No.16 People's Representative to Parliament for alleged illegal practices.

An election petition filed against Samiu Vaipulu the former Deputy Prime Minister and current Vava’u No.15 People’s Representative to Parliament was withdrawn this morning, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.