Parliamentary elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.[1] The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April.[2] A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.[3]
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.[4] Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition over the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots[5] Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.[6]
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.[7]
Viliami Uasike Latu requested a recount in Vava'u, 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 Vava’u.[8] Latu lose the recount on 14 May after an increase to the other candidate, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu from 1,896 votes to 1,902 votes while Latu received a very narrow decrease of two votes from the original 1,845 votes to 1,843 votes.[9]
Controversy
About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts,[10] and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage.[11] The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, commented that it was "unfortunate".[12] Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe,[13] a comparison rejected by the TBC.[14] 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,[15] and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs.[16] 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".[17]
Results
Summary of Results
People's Representatives
From Matangi Tonga
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. Tu'iha'angana, outgoing Speaker of the House, lost his seat in Ha'apai.[18]
Tongan general election, 2008: Ha'apai (2 members)
| Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
| Hon. Tu'iha'ateiho |
3 |
|
|
| Hon. Tu'ipelehake |
3 |
|
|
| Hon. Fakafanua |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Malupo |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Niukapu |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Tu'iha'angana |
2 |
|
|
Tongan general election, 2008: Niuas (1 member)
| Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
| Hon. Tangipa |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Fotofili |
1 |
|
|
Tongan general election, 2008: Vava'u (2 members)
| Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
| Hon. Luani |
3 |
|
|
| Hon. Tu'ilakepa |
3 |
|
|
| Hon. Fakatulolo |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Fulivai |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Tuita |
2 |
|
|
| Hon. Tu'i'afitu |
2 |
|
|
| Prince 'Ulukalala |
1 |
|
|
External links
References
- ↑ Electoral Calendar- world elections,US elections,presidential election,world parties
- ↑ Tonga to hold general elections in April - People's Daily Online
- ↑ "48% turnout for 2008 General Election", Matangi Tonga, 28 April 2008
- ↑ Tonga to hold general election on 24 April - People's Daily Online
- ↑ Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga - Radio New Zealand, 25 April 2008
- ↑ "Tongans elect pro-democracy MPs". BBC News. 25 April 2008.
- ↑ Tonga heads to polls, but more slowly toward greater democracy
- ↑ "Tonga election recount of Vava'u result next week". Radio New Zealand International. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ↑ Election recount confirms original results
- ↑ "TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election", Matangi Tonga, 11 April 2008
- ↑ "Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region", ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008
- ↑ "Tonga pressured over media restrictions". The Age. AAP. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ↑ "Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech", Tonga Review, 7 April 2008
- ↑ "TBC Boss Responds to Tonga Review Article", Tonga Review, 10 April 2008
- ↑ "Veteran Tonga politician says government's latest move is to stop criticism". Radio New Zealand International. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ↑ "State Broadcaster restrictions slammed by Tonga People's Rep". Radio New Zealand International. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ↑ "Restrictions on state broadcasting likely to impact on Tonga election, says journalist". Radio New Zealand International. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
- ↑ "Former Speaker Tu'iha'angana loses seat in Nobles election". Matangi Tonga. 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2010-11-25.
