General elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.Electoral Calendar- world elections, US elections, presidential election, world parties The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April.Tonga to hold general elections in April - People's Daily Online A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%."48% turnout for 2008 General Election" , Matangi Tonga, 28 April 2008
71 candidates had filed for the people's representatives' seats, among them eight women. All nine incumbents stood for reelection, with six retaining their seats.Tonga to hold general election on 24 April - People's Daily Online Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition over the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots.Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga - Radio New Zealand , 25 April 2008 Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.
These elections were the last ones before democratic reforms expected to be implemented in 2010, which would change the seat balance as follows: 17 MPs would be popularly elected, nine MPs would be elected by the nobles and four MPs appointed by the king.Tonga heads to polls, but more slowly toward greater democracy
Viliami Uasike Latu requested a recount in Vavaʻu, the constituency he contested, as he missed out on the second seat there by only 51 votes. The recount was conducted from 5 to 9 May at the Office of the Governor of Vavaʻu, and confirmed the original result.
Controversy
About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts,"TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election" , Matangi Tonga, 11 April 2008 and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage."Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region", ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008 The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, commented that it was "unfortunate". Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe,"Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech" , Tonga Review, 7 April 2008 a comparison rejected by the TBC."TBC Boss Responds to Tonga Review Article" , Tonga Review, 10 April 2008 Tongan MP Clive Edwards said that the TBC's decision was aimed at stifling criticism of the government in the lead-up to the election, and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs. Pesi Fonua, head of the Tonga Media Council, said that the election "very much depends on how the candidates present themselves", and that censorship would "definitely have an impact".
Results
By constituency People's Representatives ConstituencyCandidatePartyVotes%NotesEuaSunia Fili86135.4ElectedTevita Lavemaau51021.0Tevita Tupou44618.3Siosaia Hausia27911.5Tuʻipulotu Lauaki1375.6ʻAsipeli Mafi1305.3Veisinia Tupou Tuʻitakau Kaho562.3Hakeai Vea Havea120.5HaʻapaiʻUliti Uata2,55529.7ElectedSione Teisina Fuko1,40416.3ElectedMoʻale Finau1,25614.6ʻOsai Latu1,06212.3Siosaia K Maʻake Paluto88510.3Sione Tuʻitupou Fotu4124.8Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa4094.8Siaosi Vaikona3183.7Sosaia Finau3093.6Niuafoʻou and NiuatoptapuSione Feingatau ʻIloa47636.6ElectedSione Haukinima36728.2Lepolo Taunisila24118.5ʻOfa Simiki21716.7TongatapuʻAkilisi Pōhiva11,29022.4ElectedʻIsileli Pulu7,04814.0ElectedClive Edwards6,69713.3ElectedSione Sangster Saulala5,46110.8ʻInoke Fotu Huʻakau2,8025.6Sione Fonua2,7685.5Semisi Palu ʻIfoni Tapueluelu2,7275.4Mele Teusivi ʻAmanaki1,5233.0Semisi ʻOfa Fukofuka1,1502.3Mateitalo Folaumoetao Mahuʻinga1,1362.3ʻAlisi Pone Fotu1,0822.1Sitiveni Takaetali Finau9221.8Mateaki Ki he Lotu Heimuli8281.6Latanoa Pikula7651.5Sateki Finau6751.3Filimone Fifita6491.3Sulunga Lavaka5441.1ʻAkanete Taʻai Lauti4540.9Sione Tuʻiʻonetoa3540.7Salesi Kauvaka2690.5Tupou Malohi2590.5ʻAlani Fisher Taione1840.4Semisi Nauto Tuapasi ʻAtaʻata1750.3Malu Faletau1450.3ʻEliu Hafoka1410.3Punalei Nuku1240.2Hoatatau Tenisi1180.2ʻEliesa Fifita980.2VavaʻuʻEtuate Lavulavu2,11614.6ElectedSamiu Vaipulu1,89613.1ElectedViliami Latu1,84512.7Salesi Paea1,47110.1Masao Paasi1,2138.4ʻOpeti Pulotu9176.3Viliami Kaufusi Helu7265.0Tevita Moengangongo Saia7004.8Sione Kilipati Lea6744.6Peauafi Tatafu5473.8Polutele Tuʻihalamaka5443.7Viliula Mafi4423.0Moleni Taufa3832.6Viliami Pasikala1911.3Keuli Pasina Lavaki1851.3Paula K Kava1751.2ʻOfa Kitokelau Fakalata1130.8Mataiasi Moteini Moala1040.7Tongovua Tae Appleton780.5Temaleti Levaitai Fulivai Fakaʻosi730.5Kapeliele Fungalei Cocker720.5Toʻofohe Loketi Teaupa510.4Source: Psephos
Nobles' representatives Nine nobles were elected by the 29 eligible members of the nobility on 23 April. All 29 voters cast votes. There were no nominations, and no candidates. Tuʻihaʻangana, outgoing Speaker of the House, lost his seat in Haʻapai.
ConstituencyCandidateVotes%NotesEuaHon. Lasike763.6ElectedHon. Fohe327.3Baron Vaea of Houma19.1HaʻapaiHon. Tuʻihaʻateiho321.4ElectedHon. Tuʻipelehake321.4ElectedHon. Fakafanua214.3Hon. Malupo214.3Hon. Niukapu214.3Hon. Tuʻihaʻangana214.3Niuafoʻou and NiuatoptapuHon. Tangipa266.7ElectedHon. Fotofili133.3TongatapuHon. Fielakepa1030.3ElectedHon. Maʻafu1030.3ElectedHon. Fohe618.2ElectedHon. Vahaʻi412.1Baron Vaea of Houma39.1VavaʻuHon. Luani320.0ElectedHon. Tuʻilakepa320.0ElectedHon. Fakatulolo213.3Hon. Fulivai213.3Hon. Tuita213.3Hon. Tuʻiʻafitu213.3Prince ʻUlukalala16.7
References
External links "Tongans confused and undecided on eve of 2008 General Election", Mary Lyn Fonue, Matangi Tonga, 23 April 2008 "Results, 2008 Tonga Parliamentary General Election" Matangi Tonga, 25 April 2008 "Noble Fielakepa and Noble Maʻafu elected into Parliament", Tonga Review, 23 April 2008