Английская Википедия:2010 Tongan general election

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Early general elections under a new electoral law were held in Tonga on 25 November 2010. They determined the composition of the 2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly.

The early elections were announced by the new King George Tupou V in July 2008 shortly before being crowned on 1 August 2008, and were preceded by a programme of constitutional reform. For the first time, a majority of the seats (17 out of 26) in the Tongan parliament were elected by universal suffrage, with the remaining nine seats being reserved for members of Tonga's nobility. This marked a major progression away from the 165-year rule of the monarchy towards a fully representative democracy. The Taimi Media Network described it as "Tonga’s first democratically elected Parliament".

The Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, founded in September 2010 specifically to fight the election and led by veteran pro-democracy campaigner 'Akilisi Pohiva, secured the largest number of seats, with 12 out of the seventeen "people's representative" seats.

Background

Heading to political reforms

Prior to these elections, members of Tonga's Legislative Assembly (the Fale Alea) were primarily appointed by the monarch, who also selected the prime minister and the cabinet. Only nine of the 30 seats were popularly elected, and another nine were held by members of the aristocracy.

In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms, increasing the number of people's representatives from nine to seventeen, with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vavaʻu, two for Haʻapai and one each for Niuas and ʻEua. All of the seats are single-seat constituencies, as opposed to the multi-member constituencies used before. These changes mean that now 17 of 26 representatives (65.4%) will be directly elected, up from 9 of 30 (30.0%). The noble aristocracy will still select its nine representatives, while all remaining seats, which were previously appointed by the monarch, will be abolished.

While the cabinet and the prime minister were previously selected by the monarch, this time, the elected parliamentarians will vote for a prime minister.

The changes come in the wake of violent pro-democracy demonstrations in November 2006, in which eight people were killed and much of the business district of Tongatapu destroyed as people protested against the slow movement toward political reform. The changes have been fully supported by the king. One of the candidates, Sione Fonua, said, "The king saw the signs that people wanted change and, to his credit, he has allowed that to happen".

Impact on the monarchy

Tonga is a very traditional society, and the role of the monarchy is extremely important.

In response to the question of the impact the new legislation would have on his role, the King stated that while not officially reducing his powers, the reforms meant that he was now limited in his capacity to exercise these powers: Шаблон:Blockquote

Analysts, however, have said they are not yet certain what effective changes the political shift would bring. The king retains the power of veto over certain laws, as well as the power to dismiss the government.

Election

People's representatives

Voter registration closed on 31 August, with approximately 42,000 voters registering. In November 2010, the Women's and Children's Crisis Centre expressed concern that up to 40% of eligible voters could have failed to register.

Candidates were registered on 21 and 22 October, with 147 candidates contesting the 17 constituencies. The Tongatapu 6 and 9 constituencies were the most heavily contested, with 15 candidates each, while Ha'apai 13, 'Eua 11 and Niuas 17 had only three candidates each. Ten candidates were women. Only three of the incumbent Cabinet contested the elections.

Candidates were required to pay a P400 (Tonga-pa'anga) registration fee (equivalent to $215 US or €165) and present the signatures of 50 eligible voters in support of their candidacy. The suffering economy was seen as the most significant priority for the campaigners. According to the World Bank, up to 40% of Tongans live on or below the poverty line. In addition, the International Monetary Fund claims that Tonga's national debt is substantial and that the island nation is at high risk of not being able to pay them.

In an address to the nation before polling stations opened, the King described the vote as "the greatest and most historic day for our kingdom". He went on to say, "You will choose your representative to the parliament and, thus, the first elected government in our country's long history."

Nobles' representatives

Elections to the nobles' seats was reformed, through the Representatives Electoral Regulations Act 2010. Each member of the nobility was henceforth only allowed to cast a vote in the constituency containing lands to which his title of nobility was attached. The four constituencies were:

• a joint constituency for Tongatapu & ʻEua, corresponding to fourteen hereditary titles (thirteen in Tongatapu and one, Lasike, in ʻEua), and electing four representatives;
• the constituency of Vavaʻu, corresponding to eight hereditary titles and electing two representatives;
• the constituency of Haʻapai, corresponding to seven hereditary titles and electing two representatives;
• the constituency of the Niuas, corresponding to four hereditary titles and electing one representative.

There were two nobles who held two titles each: Prince ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho held the titles of Tupoutoʻa (in Haʻapai) and Lavaka (in Tongatapu), while Lord Kalaniuvalu of Tongatapu was jointly Lord Fotofili of the Niuas. It is not clear whether this enabled these two men to cast two ballots. In addition, there were three unattributed titles: Maʻatu in the Niuas, and ʻAhomeʻe and Fohe in Tongatapu. Also, King Tupou V had, since 2008, instituted the unprecedented title of "Law Lords" for three men (Ramsay Robertson Dalgety, Tevita Poasi Tupou and Taniela Tufui), conferring upon them a non-hereditary life title which entitled them to vote in a nobles' constituency of their choosing, but not to be elected. Dalgety and Tupou chose to vote in Tongatapu, and Tufui in Haʻapai. Consequently, there were twelve to fourteen potential voters in Tongatapu (depending on where Prince Tukuʻaho and Lord Kalaniuvalu chose to vote), eight in Vavaʻu, seven or eight in Haʻapai, and two or three in the Niuas.

Results

According to election officials, approximately 89% of the 42,000 registered voters cast ballots. A delegation of fourteen observers from Australia and New Zealand were in Tonga to observe the election. Reports said they were pleased at the way the election had been managed.

The outcome of the election resulted in a plurality of seats for the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, who won 12 out of the 17 "people's representative" seats, with only some 29% of the votes (because of the First Past the Post voting system being used).

Once the results were finalised, the newly elected representatives selected a prime minister. Tongans, who have traditionally looked to the nobility for leadership, had widely expected it to be a nobleman. After their election, however, the nobles' representatives announced that they would support a commoner for prime minister but ultimately decided to support Lord Tu'ivakano.

People's representatives

Constituency	Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Notes
Tongatapu 1	ʻAkilisi Pōhiva	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1657	62.5	Elected
	Taniela Talifolau Palu	Independent	567	21.4
	Poutele Kaho Tu’ihalamaka	Independent	270	10.2
	'Inoke Fotu Hu’akau	Independent	105	4.0
	'Eliesa Fifita	Independent	38	1.4
	Siosifa Moala Taumoepeau	Independent	13	0.5
Tongatapu 2	Semisi Sika	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	849	37.9	Elected
	Viliami Tangi	Independent	641	28.6
	Malia Viviena 'Alisi Numia Taumoepeau	Independent	306	13.7
	Sione Tu’itavake Fonua	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	181	8.1
	Siale 'Ataongo Puloka	Independent	111	5.0
	Mele Teusivi 'Amanaki	Tongan Democratic Labor Party	65	2.9
	Tevita Kaitu’u Fotu	Independent	49	2.2
	Sitafooti 'Aho	Independent	26	1.2
	Semisi 'Ulu’ave Mila	Independent	12	0.5
Tongatapu 3	Sitiveni Halapua	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1047	38.5	Elected
	Clive Edwards	People's Democratic Party	681	25.0
	Viliami Takau	Independent	289	10.6
	Penisimani Vea	Independent	257	9.4
	David Kaveinga Vaka	Independent	191	7.0
	Betty Blake	Tongan Democratic Labor Party	103	3.8
	Sione 'Uhilamoelangi Liava’a	Independent	83	3.1
	Falakiko Karl Taufaeteau	Independent	35	1.3
	Pesalili Kailahi	Independent	23	0.8
	Semisi Nauto Tuapasi 'Ata’ata	Independent	12	0.4
Tongatapu 4	ʻIsileli Pulu	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1274	58.3	Elected
	'Etika Koka	Independent	302	13.8
	'Ahongalu Fusimalohi	Independent	223	10.2
	'Etuate 'Eniti Sakalia	Independent	215	9.8
	Tupou M. Loto’aniu	Independent	74	3.4
	Mele Tonga Savea Linda Ma’u	Independent	71	3.2
	Christopher Mafi	Independent	24	1.1
Tongatapu 5	ʻAisake Eke	Independent	679	24.1	Elected
	Maliu Moeao Takai	Independent	616	21.9
	Siale Napa’a Fihaki	Independent	302	10.7
	Hekisou Fifita	Independent	285	10.1
	Sione V. Loseli	Independent	238	8.5
	Semisi Tongia	Independent	233	8.3
	Lopeti Senituli	Independent	155	5.5
	Sione Tu’alau Mangisi	Independent	116	4.1
	Sione Langi Vailanu	Independent	98	3.5
	Sitiveni Takaetali Finau	Independent	46	1.6
	'Ofa Tautuiaki	Independent	24	0.9
	Pita Ikata’ane Finaulahi	Independent	19	0.7
	Sateki Finau	Independent	4	0.1
Tongatapu 6	Siosifa Tuʻitupou Tuʻutafaiva	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	735	26.5	Elected
	Siosaia Moehau	Independent	731	26.4
	Posesi Fanua Bloomfield	Independent	389	14.0
	Sione Fifita Maumau	Independent	279	10.1
	Viliami Moimoi Vaea	Independent	169	6.1
	Siosiua Holitei Fonua	Independent	163	5.9
	Lesieli Hu’availiku Niu	Independent	61	2.2
	Melino He Mapu’atonga Tangi	Independent	50	1.8
	Sione Tu’alau Vimahi	Independent	47	1.7
	Hemaloto Tatafu	Independent	40	1.4
	Sitiveni Finau	Independent	30	1.1
	Sepeti Vakameilalo	Independent	24	0.9
	Fale’aisi Vaea Tangitau	Independent	18	0.7
	Latu Timote Tu’i’asoa	Independent	17	0.6
	'Ofakitokelau Fakalata	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	16	0.6
Tongatapu 7	Sione Sangster Saulala	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	847	32.6	Elected
	Giulio Masasso Tu’ikolongahau Paunga	Independent	621	23.9
	Sione Vuna Fa’otusia	Independent	429	16.5
	Mavaetangi Manavahetau	Independent	240	9.2
	Siosifa Filini Sikuea	Independent	160	6.2
	Peato Tauholoaki Takai	Independent	117	4.5
	'Anau Ki Lifuka 'Anau	Independent	89	3.4
	'Amanaki Paea Molitika	Independent	59	2.3
	Finau Lea’aetalafo’ou	Independent	23	0.9
	Hoatatau Tenisi	Independent	15	0.6
Tongatapu 8	Sione Taione	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	901	34.1	Elected
	Lui 'Aho	Independent	770	29.1
	Fataimoemanu Lafaele Vaihu	Independent	474	17.9
	Siaosi 'Etika Moleni	Independent	177	6.7
	Sioape Tu’iono	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	118	4.5
	Mosese Senituli Manu	Independent	83	3.1
	Simote Po’uliva’ati	Independent	66	2.5
	Simione Kau Silapelu	Independent	32	1.2
	Nakita Talanoa	Independent	20	0.8
	Solo Fefioloi Solomone La’akulu	Independent	5	0.2
Tongatapu 9	Kaveinga Faʻanunu	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	908	34.0	Elected
	Sevenitini Toumo’ua	Independent	414	15.5
	Viliami Fukofuka	Independent	262	9.8
	Filimone Fifita	Independent	241	9.0
	'Aisake 'Etimoni Tu’iono	Independent	229	8.6
	Siaosi 'Enosi Tu’ipulotu	Independent	147	5.5
	Semisi Kailahi	Independent	136	5.1
	Tonga Tongilava Lemoto	Independent	110	4.1
	'Epeli Taufa Kalemani	Independent	51	1.9
	Konisitutone Simana Kami	Independent	50	1.9
	Falati Papani	Independent	49	1.8
	Mosese Latu	Independent	22	0.8
	Sione 'Umeahola Faeamani	Independent	21	0.8
	'Ofa Fatai	Independent	18	0.7
	Samisoni Lotaki Kanongata’a	Independent	15	0.6
Tongatapu 10	Semisi Tapueluelu	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	792	26.6	Elected
	Pohiva Tuʻiʻonetoa	Independent	613	20.6
	Faka’osilea Kaufusi	Independent	608	20.5
	Faka’osi 'Akapulu Maama	Independent	277	9.3
	Semisi Kaifoto Pale	Independent	170	5.7
	Daniel Kimball Fale	Independent	109	3.7
	ZCO Ongosia 'Uhatafe	Independent	104	3.5
	Soane Vaka’uta Melekiola	Independent	77	2.6
	Fifita Sili	Independent	71	2.4
	Latanoa Pikula	Independent	64	2.2
	Kitione Pomaama	Independent	61	2.1
	Malia Peata Sioko Noa	Independent	27	0.9
ʻEua 11	Sunia Fili	Independent	772	37.2	Elected
	Sione Sengililala Moala	Independent	667	32.1
	Tevita Lavemaau	Independent	637	30.7
Haʻapai 12	Moʻale Finau	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	470	31.9	Elected
	Viliami Hingano	Independent	306	20.8
	Paula Vi	Independent	280	19.0
	Latiume Kaufusi	Independent	174	11.8
	Tevita 'Ova	Independent	71	4.8
	Mosese Moimoi Fakahua	Independent	70	4.8
	Sione Tu’itupou Fotu	Independent	39	2.6
	Sione Fekau Mafile’o	Independent	38	2.6
	Langilangi Vimahi	Independent	16	1.1
	Penisimani Tavalu Fatafehi	Independent	8	0.5
Haʻapai 13	ʻUliti Uata	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	1090	70.5	Elected
	Sione Teisina Fuko	People's Democratic Party	253	16.4
	Lopeti Kamipeli Tofa	Sustainable Nation-Building Party	204	13.2
Vavaʻu 14	Lisiate ʻAkolo	Independent	665	28.0	Elected
	ʻEtuate Lavulavu	Independent	540	22.7
	Paula Piveni Piukala	Independent	502	21.1
	Tu’amelie He Lotu Faaitu’a Kemoe’atu	Independent	380	16.0
	Peauafi Pifeleti	Independent	209	8.8
	Siale Fifita	Independent	51	2.1
	Pita Vi Hala’api’api	Independent	32	1.3
Vavaʻu 15	Samiu Vaipulu	Independent	618	33.1	Elected
	Ualingi Salesi Paea	Independent	362	19.4
	Keuli Pasina Lavaki	Independent	305	16.3
	Viliami Kaufusi Helu	Independent	235	12.6
	Semisi Lavaka	Independent	208	11.1
	Viliami Pasikala	Independent	138	7.4
Vavaʻu 16	Viliami Latu	Independent	881	43.7	Elected
	Tevita Hala Palefau	Independent	347	17.2
	Tevita Kaafi Tukofuka	Independent	298	14.8
	'Aisea Silivenusi	Independent	289	14.3
	'Atalasa Misilemoti Pouvalu	Independent	203	10.1
Ongo Niua 17	Sosefo Feʻaomoeata Vakata	Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands	383	46.8	Elected
	Sione Feingatau ʻIloa	Independent	228	27.8
	Petelo Taukei Fuaevalu 'Ahomana	Independent	208	25.4
Source: Psephos

Noble representatives

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Government formation

Following the election, the DPFI secured the support of one independent and was seeking the support of two others – 'Aisake Valu Eke and Sunia Fili – by offering them cabinet posts. Following concerns the noble representatives would support one of the independents for Prime Minister, the DPFI decided to hold a public rally to build public support.

The formal process of electing a Prime Minister will begin after the final election results are formally notified, with the appointment of an interim Speaker and a call for nominations. MPs will then vote by secret ballot in one or more rounds, until a candidate is elected.

On 3 December 2010 the King appointed Lord Tupou as interim Speaker.

The three MPs from Vava'u are considered to be pro-monarchy.

Sosefo Fe’aomoeata Vakata reportedly left the DPFI and became an independent, and was likely to support the nobles together with the five independent MPs, resulting in a noble-led government. He joined a bloc of 15 members, including all nine noble representatives and five other people's representatives, to jointly nominate a Prime Minister.

The DPFI rejected these claims and stated it still expects to form the government. A vote was scheduled for 17 December, but then delayed to 20 December.

On 15 December 2010, DPFI MP 'Isileli Pulu claimed that the DPFI had the support of 14 of the 17 popularly elected MPs and of a few nobles, 18 MPs in total.

On 20 December 2010 Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva and Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano were nominated for Prime Minister. The election was postponed to 21 December 2010. Tu'ivakano was elected by 14 votes to 12.

On 31 December Tu'ivakano named his cabinet, which included six people's representatives, three nobles, and two commoners appointed from outside Parliament.

External links

• Full candidate list