2005 Tongan general election explained

Election Name:2005 Tongan general election
Country:Tonga
Previous Election:2002
Next Election:2008
Election Date:17 March 2005
Seats For Election:9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly
First Election:yes
Party1:Human Rights and Democracy Movement
Percentage1:44.95
Seats1:7
Party2:Independent politician
Leader2:
Percentage2:55.05
Seats2:2
Prime Minister
Before Election:Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho
Before Party:Human Rights and Democracy Movement
After Election:Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho
After Party:Human Rights and Democracy Movement

General elections were held in Tonga on 17 March 2005. Only nine members of the 30-seat parliament were elected, the rest appointed by the King or were members of the Tongan aristocracy. The Human Rights and Democracy Movement won seven of the nine seats. 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho, son of the King, initially retained his position as Prime Minister, but he resigned in 2006, with the position passing to Feleti Sevele, one of the two independent candidates elected. Sevele is the first non-noble Prime Minister of the country.

Results

By constituency

ConstituencyCandidatePartyVotes%Notes
EuaSunia Fili1,31452.5Elected
Sefesi Tupou Kanongata'a Hausia80432.1
Finau Sakea Fusitu'a26910.8
Sione 'Ofa Vaka'uta1154.6
Ha'apai'Uliti Uata2,62728.0Elected
Fineasi Funaki2,07222.1Elected
'Osaiasi Latu1,95920.9
Mo’ale Finau9199.8
Sione Talanoa Fifita8589.2
Sailosi Vea Fanua7357.8
Langilangi Vimahi1982.1
NiuasSione Peauafi Haukinima70969.9Elected
'Aisea Ta’ofi20420.1
'Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola605.9
Paula Palelei424.1
Tongatapu'Akilisi Pohiva11,10321.8Elected
'Isileli Pulu8,00815.7Elected
Feleti Sevele7,49914.7Elected
Clive Edwards3,5467.0
Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku3,1616.0
Mateitalo F. Mahu'inga2,9375.8
Lopeti Senituli2,8195.5
Semisi Kailahi1,9863.9
Simione Kau Silapelu1,5443.0
Semisi P I Tapueluelu1,5283.0
Mateaki Heimuli1,4002.7
'Alisi Pone Fotu9521.9
Mumui Tatola7191.4
Sela Lopa Kaisinga5081.0
Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa3870.8
'Alani Fisher Taione3640.7
Tupou Malohi3180.6
Siosifa Filini Sikuea2570.5
Siale Christopher Kava2480.5
'Aisake Fa'alongo Filimone2350.5
Salesi Kauvaka2310.5
Sione Tu'i'onetoa2020.4
Hoatatau Tenisi1940.4
Penisila Save1780.3
Lesinali Tovo Faleafa1650.3
Kelepi V. Lamipeti1570.3
Semisi Nauto Tu'apasi 'Ata'ata1330.3
Taholo Lelea Kolovai1280.3
Sione Lolo Mataele870.2
Vahefonua Vava'u Samiu Vaipulu2,27215.7Elected
Viliami Kaufusi Helu2,06014.3Elected
Sione Sangster Saulala1,90813.2
'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu1,77212.3
Masao Paasi1,49010.3
Peauafi Tatafu1,3089.1
Sione Sosefo Mailangi6744.7
Makelesi Funaki5623.9
Kauhenga Kata5603.9
'Alamoti Tautakitaki5563.9
Sione Finau Lauti4052.8
Viliami Politoni Sapoi1881.3
'Aliki Halahekeheke Sika1521.1
Sione Katalau Veleika1501.0
Pesa Lau'I1481.0
Makasini Fonua1401.0
'Inoke Fotu930.6
Source: Psephos

Aftermath

By-election were held on 5 May 2005 to fill vacancies in Tongatapu and Niuas following the appointment of Feleti Sevele and Sione Haukinima to the cabinet. Former Police Minister Clive Edwards was elected in Tongatapu,[1] and Lepolo Taunisila was elected in Niuas. A third by-election was held on 20 July 2006 for the Ha'apai electorate after Fineasi Funaki was appointed as Minister of Tourism.[2] The election was won by 'Osai Laatu.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matangi Tonga: Tongatapu by-election 5 May 2005 . 22 April 2008 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201600/http://matangitonga.to/home/ads/ttbyelection.shtml . dead .
  2. Web site: Tonga holds by-election . Radio New Zealand International . 2006-07-20 . 2010-11-18.
  3. Web site: Tongan by-election win for 'Osai Laatu . Radio New Zealand International . 2006-07-21 . 2010-11-18.