2021 Tongan general election
18 November 2021
17 of the 26 seats in the Legislative Assembly
Turnout61.92%
  First party Second party
 
Leader Semisi Sika Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
Party DPFI TPPI
Seats before 14 New
Seats won 3 1
Seat change Decrease 11 Increase 1
Prime Minister before election

Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa
TPPI

 Elected Prime Minister

Siaosi Sovaleni
Independent

General elections were held in Tonga on 18 November 2021 to elect 17 of the 26 seats in the Legislative Assembly.[1]

Following the elections, four MPs were unseated for bribery.[2]

Background

The 2017 general election resulted in a landslide victory for the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (Tongan: Paati Temokalati ʻa e ʻOtu Motu ʻAngaʻofa, or PTOA),[3] and ʻAkilisi Pōhiva was re-elected as Prime Minister, defeating former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni 14 votes to 12.[4] In September 2019 Pohiva died,[5] and Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa was elected as Prime Minister with the support of the nobles, independent MPs, and 5 former members of the DPFI.[6][7] His cabinet included three nobles, who had previously been excluded under Pohiva.[8]

In December 2020 Democratic party leader Semisi Sika submitted a motion of no-confidence in Prime Minister Tuʻiʻonetoa.[9] The motion was backed by Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa'otusia,[10] who subsequently resigned from Cabinet.[9][11] The Legislative Assembly rejected the no-confidence motion 13-9 on 12 January 2021.[12]

Following ʻAkilisi Pōhiva's death the PTOA fragmented, with rivalries emerging between Siaosi Pohiva and his brother-in-law Mateni Tapueluelu.[13] In the leadup to the election this led to a formal split, with Pohiva leaving the party's board and "core team".[14]

In the leadup to the election Infrastructure and Tourism Minister ʻAkosita Lavulavu and her husband ʻEtuate Lavulavu, who had previously served as a Minister, were both convicted of obtaining money by false pretenses[15][16] and sentenced to six years in prison by the Supreme Court.[17][18]

Electoral system

The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has up to 30 members, of whom 17 are directly elected by first-past-the-post voting from single-member constituencies. The island of Tongatapu has ten constituencies, Vavaʻu three, Haʻapai two and ʻEua and Niuatoputapu/Niuafoʻou one each.[19] Nine seats are held by members of the nobility, who elect representatives amongst themselves.[20] The Cabinet formed by a Prime Minister may include up to four members not elected to the Assembly, who then automatically become members of the legislature.[20] Around 60,000 voters were eligible to vote.[21]

Campaign

Parliament was dissolved on 16 September.[22] 75 candidates, including 12 women, registered to contest the election.[23][24] One candidate, Sione Fonua, later withdrew, while a second one died, leaving 73 candidates in total.[25] Despite a week-long lockdown due to a COVID-19 case, the election was not delayed.[26]

Prime Minister Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa did not promote his Tonga People's Party during the campaign, and several Ministers ran as independents.[27]

Results

Voters elected an all-male parliament, with nine new people's representatives.[28] The leaders of both Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (PTOA), Semisi Sika and Siaosi Pōhiva, lost their seats, as did other senior PTOA MP's.[29] While the PTOA won majorities in most constituencies, vote-splitting between the rival factions saw them lose seats to independent candidates.[30] Only three PTOA candidates were elected: Semisi Fakahau, Veivosa Taka and Saia Piukala.[31] The People's Party formally retained only one seat,[32] but may name its members after the elections.[33]

The Electoral Commission reported that voter turnout was 62%.[34]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands3–11
Tonga People's Party1New
Independents13+10
Nobles' representatives90
Total26–
Total votes38,550–
Registered voters/turnout62,25361.92

People's seats

Constituency Elected Party[31][32] Votes
Tongatapu 1 Tēvita Fatafehi Puloka Independent 1,695
Tongatapu 2 ʻUhilamoelangi Fasi Independent 962
Tongatapu 3 Siaosi Sovaleni Independent 2,084
Tongatapu 4 Tatafu Moeaki Independent 1,237
Tongatapu 5 ʻAisake Eke Independent 958
Tongatapu 6 Poasi Tei Independent[27] 1,771
Tongatapu 7 Sione Sangster Saulala Independent 810
Tongatapu 8 Semisi Fakahau Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands 1,020
Tongatapu 9 Sevenitini Toumoʻua Independent 828
Tongatapu 10 Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa Tonga People's Party 1,303
ʻEua 11 Taniela Fusimalohi Independent 1,072
Haʻapai 12 Viliami Hingano Independent 475
Haʻapai 13 Veivosa Taka Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands 731
Vavaʻu 14 Saia Piukala Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands 1,010
Vavaʻu 15 Samiu Vaipulu Independent 747
Vavaʻu 16 Viliami Latu Independent 1,047
Ongo Niua 17 Vatau Hui Independent[27] 367
Source: [29]

Nobles

Constituency Elected Votes
‘EuaLord Nuku11
Ha‘apaiLord Tu‘iha‘angana5
Fatafehi Fakafanua4
NiuasPrince Fotofili2
TongatapuSialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō12
ʻAlipate Tuʻivanuavou Vaea13
Sione Siale Fohe10
VavaʻuMalakai Fakatoufifita8
Tonga Tuʻiʻafitu9
Source: Matangi Tonga

Aftermath

Following the election Viliami Tangi was appointed interim Speaker.[35] Three candidates initially announced their candidacy for Prime Minister: Interim Prime Minister Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa, former Finance Minister ʻAisake Eke, and former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni.[36][37] Tuʻiʻonetoa later withdrew his candidacy, leaving Sovaleni as the frontrunner.[38]

The Legislative Assembly met on 15 December to elect a Prime Minister, with both Sovaleni and Eke being nominated.[39] Sovaleni was elected with 16 votes.[40][41] Fatafehi Fakafanua was re-elected as Speaker.[42] Sovaleni was formally appointed Prime Minister on 27 December,[43] and announced his cabinet on 29 December.[44][45] parliament was formally opened on 11 January 2022.[46]

Following the election Pōhiva Tuʻiʻonetoa was found guilty of bribery in an election petition and stripped of his seat.[47][48] Sangster Saulala was found guilty of two counts of bribery on 2 May 2022 and his election declared void.[49][50] Tatafu Moeaki was found guilty of bribery on 6 May,[51] and Poasi Tei on 13 May.[52] Election petitions against Tevita Puloka and 'Uhilamoelangi Fasi were unsuccessful.[2] On 26 May 2022 the convictions were stayed pending appeal.[53] On 9 August 2022 the appeals by Saulala, Tei and Moeaki were dismissed, and their elections were confirmed as void.[54] Tu’i’onetoa's appeal was upheld and he remains in parliament.[55][56] Saulala, Tei and Moeaki were formally unseated by Parliament and their seats declared vacant on 10 August,[57] sparking the 2022 Tongatapu by-elections.[58]

References

  1. ↑ Tonga general election set for November 18 Parliament of Tonga, 8 September 2021
  2. 1 2 "Four MPs have now lost seats in Tonga". RNZ. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "Landslide victory for Democrats in Tongan election". New Zealand Herald. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Pohiva retains Tonga prime ministership". Radio New Zealand. 18 December 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  5. ↑ "Tongan PM 'Akilisi Pohiva dies, aged 78". Radio New Zealand. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  6. ↑ "Parliament elects Dr Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa as new PM". The World News. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. ↑ "Tonga MPs choose Tu'i'onetoa as new prime minister". Radio New Zealand. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "New Tonga PM: 'We need to be united'". Radio New Zealand. 4 October 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Tonga Deputy PM resigns amidst no confidence motion". Radio New Zealand. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "PM Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa "has to go" says Deputy PM Vuna Fa'otusia as he and others submit vote of no confidence motion against PM". Kaniva Tonga. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  11. ↑ Pesi Fonua (14 December 2020). "Deputy PM Fa'otusia resigns from Cabinet". Matangi Tonga. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  12. ↑ "Tonga's PM survives motion of no confidence". Radio New Zealand. 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Kalafi Moala (11 March 2021). "Will the PTOA Party survive the latest crisis in leadership?". Fangongo. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Why Siaosi Pohiva quit the ruling board of PTOA?". Talanoa O Tonga. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  15. ↑ "Lavulavu couple plundered education fund, used political connections to steal money, Judgment finds". Matangi Tonga. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  16. ↑ "Tongan cabinet minister convicted of major fraud". RNZ. 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "Tongan MP and former MP sentenced to six years jail". RNZ. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  18. ↑ "Judge points to serious breach of trust in Lavulavu couple's criminal offending". Matangi Tonga. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  19. ↑ "TONGA (Fale Alea), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  20. 1 2 "TONGA (Fale Alea), Last elections". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Polls in Tonga open for 2021 election". RNZ. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  22. ↑ "King Tupou VI: Tonga faces many challenges in election year". Matangi Tonga. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "75 candidates register for November 18 General Election". Matangi Tonga. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  24. ↑ "New-look Tongan parliament likely". RNZ. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  25. ↑ "Two removed, 73 candidates remain for General Election". Matangi Tonga. 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Tonga's Nov. 18 General Election not delayed". Matangi Tonga. 3 November 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  27. 1 2 3 Kalino Latu (18 October 2021). "Is the Prime Minister's party still functioning? PAK name missing from Cabinet Ministers' campaign literature". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Twelve new MPs in Tonga election - but no women elected". RNZ. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Tonga elects all-male parliament with nine new People's Reps". Matangi Tonga. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "A sobering reality hits PTOA after election losses; voters elect nine new faces". Kaniva Tonga. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  31. 1 2 "New faces, no women and disappointments". Nukualofa Times. 19 November 2021. Archived from the original on 23 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  32. 1 2 Kalafi Moala (20 November 2021). "Election 2021 – the end of an era!". Talanoa O Tonga. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  33. ↑ "Party MPs, independents and Nobles prepare to make deals and form alliances to elect PM". Kaniva Tonga. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  34. ↑ "Election results reveal end to Akalisi Pohiva legacy in Tonga". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  35. ↑ "Lord Tangi is interim Speaker of the House". Nukualofa Times. 22 November 2021. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  36. ↑ "Tonga: Three contenders for prime minister's job". RNZ. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  37. ↑ "ANALYSIS: Tonga in search for viable, credible PM; the best of best has yet to come". Kaniva Tonga. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  38. ↑ "First photo emerges as Sovaleni gets support of 11 MPs; Tu'i'onetoa allegedly withdraws from premiership race". Kaniva Tonga. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Two nominees for PM Designate revealed, meeting underway". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Emotional, Siaosi Sovaleni elected PM Designate". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  41. ↑ "MPs choose Siaosi Sovaleni as new prime minister". Kaniva Tonga. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  42. ↑ "School drop-outs, illegal drugs and health three major concerns for Tonga's new PM Designate". Matangi Tonga. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  43. ↑ "King Tupou VI appoints new Prime Minister". Matangi Tonga. 28 December 2021. Archived from the original on 28 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  44. ↑ "PM names new government". Matangi Tonga. 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  45. ↑ "Tonga's PM names new government". RNZ. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  46. ↑ "Tonga's King opens Parliament". RNZ. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  47. ↑ "Disgraced former PM Pōhiva Tu'i'onetoa loses seat through electoral petition: reports". Kaniva Tonga. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  48. ↑ Philip Cass (1 May 2022). "If I had wanted to buy votes I would have made sure they got the money, former PM tells court, but judge says bribery occurred, voids election". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  49. ↑ "Saulala 'commits bribery', court says : another Tongan MP loses seat in election petitions". Kaniva Tonga. 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  50. ↑ "Court finds Sangster Saulala committed bribery, Tongatapu no. 7 PR election void". Matangi Tonga. 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  51. ↑ "Another election result cancelled as Moeaki found guilty of bribery in Tongatapu 4 contest". Kaniva Tonga. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  52. ↑ "Third Cabinet Minister disqualified as Tei found guilty of bribery in Tongatapu 6 contest". Kaniva Tonga. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  53. ↑ "Convicted Tongan MPs given stay by appeals". RNZ. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  54. ↑ "Appeals dismissed, three Cabinet Ministers elections void". Matangi Tonga. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  55. ↑ "Tonga court dismisses three Cabinet Ministers' electoral fraud appeals; upholds former PM's appeal". Kaniva Tonga. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  56. ↑ Linny Folau (10 August 2022). "Former PM successful in appeals, others dismissed". Matangi Tonga. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  57. ↑ "Three Cabinet Ministers unseated". Matangi Tonga. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  58. ↑ "Tongatapu by-election date announced by Speaker". Kaniva Tonga. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
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