Results for Tonga Government

An emotional Siaosi ‘Ofakivahakifolau Sovaleni (51) was elected as Tonga's new Prime Minister Designate just before 3:00pm this afternoon, winning 16 votes in the Legislative Assembly at Nuku'alofa.

Tonga elected an all-male parliament today, with nine new faces coming into 17 People's Representative seats. No women were returned or elected. The Prime Minister, Hon. Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa retained his Tongatapu 10 constituency. Eight Cabinet Ministers, including two Nobles serving as Ministers, were returned. Preliminary results were announced by the Supervisor of Elections Pita Vuki on national radio (TBC) just before 11:00pm Thursday. Tonga has a midnight curfew under its Health Emergency, so after a few minutes of tooting car horns and a handful of fireworks on the Touliki seafront, let off by jubilant supporters of successful candidates, most people went home. UPDATED.

Tonga's PM confirmed one positive COVID-19 test among the 215 passengers who arrived in Tonga from Christchurch on Wednesday. The test was carried out yesterday and results confirmed today. The PM made the announcement on national radio at 5:30pm The first confirmed case in Tonga is in MIQ at the Tanoa Hotel. The carrier had been fully vaccinated.

The Lavulavus’ court cases do not enhance the government’s reputation and the way the political elite in the Kingdom operate. Sad to say Prime Minister, that in your attempt to make light of the Lavulavus’ guilty verdict, you cunningly brought to the attention of the public and the world, that other schools were involved in these criminal activities. It is now your duty as the PM of Tonga to get a full investigation going. You owe it to all foreign aid donors, to explain what Tonga has done with the funds; and you owe it to every school that you have now accused, by giving them a chance to clear their names and set the record straight. - Senolita Swan

Kacific, the broadband satellite company that rescued Tonga from its digital darkness in January 2019 when the Tonga cable was cut, is taking legal proceedings to recover a fee of USD$5.76 million it claims is owed by a Tonga government entity, Tonga Satellite Ltd. By Mary Lyn Fonua.

A petition, pleading for King Tupou VI to dismantle parliament and call a new General Election, “because the people no longer trust the Parliament and the Government”, was delivered this afternoon to the Palace Office, by Siaosi Pohiva, the Tongatapu No. 1 People’s Representative and his supporters.

Outward migration and growth in remittances are essential for the sustainable development of Tonga, concludes the first national ‘Migration and Sustainable Development Policy’, launched by the Prime Minister on April 28. The new policy, two-years in the making, was passed by Cabinet in November 2020. However, its directions remain conflicted by the Health Emergency border restrictions that limit travel. By Pesi Fonua.

An online portal containing the government’s work on climate change was launched at a workshop last Friday, 26 March.

Tonga’s Minister of Justice and Deputy PM, Hon. Vuna Fa’otusia, resigned from Cabinet on Friday, 11 December, according to a reliable government source. The resignation comes during a political leadership upheaval, with a letter to parliament last week for a Vote of No Confidence against the Prime Minister.