2005 Tongan general election

2005 Tongan general election

17 March 2005

9 of 30 seats in the Legislative Assembly

Party Leader % Seats HRDM Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho 44.95 7 Independent – 55.05 2 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. Prime Minister before Prime Minister after Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho HRDM Aho‘eitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho HRDM

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

Party		Votes	%	Seats
	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	35,200	44.95	7
	Independents	43,117	55.05	2
Nobles' representatives				9
Royal appointees				12
Total		78,317	100.00	30
Total votes		33,119	–
Registered voters/turnout		65,555	50.52
Source: Psephos, IPU

By constituency

Constituency	Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Notes
Eua	Sunia Fili	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	1,314	52.5	Elected
	Sefesi Tupou Kanongata'a Hausia	Independent	804	32.1
	Finau Sakea Fusitu'a	Independent	269	10.8
	Sione 'Ofa Vaka'uta	Independent	115	4.6
Ha'apai	'Uliti Uata	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	2,627	28.0	Elected
	Fineasi Funaki	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	2,072	22.1	Elected
	'Osaiasi Latu	Independent	1,959	20.9
	Mo’ale Finau	Independent	919	9.8
	Sione Talanoa Fifita	Independent	858	9.2
	Sailosi Vea Fanua	Independent	735	7.8
	Langilangi Vimahi	Independent	198	2.1
Niuas	Sione Peauafi Haukinima	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	709	69.9	Elected
	'Aisea Ta’ofi	Independent	204	20.1
	'Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola	Independent	60	5.9
	Paula Palelei	Independent	42	4.1
Tongatapu	'Akilisi Pohiva	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	11,103	21.8	Elected
	'Isileli Pulu	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	8,008	15.7	Elected
	Feleti Sevele	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	7,499	14.7	Elected
	Clive Edwards	Independent	3,546	7.0
	Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku	Independent	3,161	6.0
	Mateitalo F. Mahu'inga	Independent	2,937	5.8
	Lopeti Senituli	Independent	2,819	5.5
	Semisi Kailahi	Independent	1,986	3.9
	Simione Kau Silapelu	Independent	1,544	3.0
	Semisi P I Tapueluelu	Independent	1,528	3.0
	Mateaki Heimuli	Independent	1,400	2.7
	'Alisi Pone Fotu	Independent	952	1.9
	Mumui Tatola	Independent	719	1.4
	Sela Lopa Kaisinga	Independent	508	1.0
	Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa	Independent	387	0.8
	'Alani Fisher Taione	Independent	364	0.7
	Tupou Malohi	Independent	318	0.6
	Siosifa Filini Sikuea	Independent	257	0.5
	Siale Christopher Kava	Independent	248	0.5
	'Aisake Fa'alongo Filimone	Independent	235	0.5
	Salesi Kauvaka	Independent	231	0.5
	Sione Tu'i'onetoa	Independent	202	0.4
	Hoatatau Tenisi	Independent	194	0.4
	Penisila Save	Independent	178	0.3
	Lesinali Tovo Faleafa	Independent	165	0.3
	Kelepi V. Lamipeti	Independent	157	0.3
	Semisi Nauto Tu'apasi 'Ata'ata	Independent	133	0.3
	Taholo Lelea Kolovai	Independent	128	0.3
	Sione Lolo Mataele	Independent	87	0.2
Vahefonua Vava'u	Samiu Vaipulu	Independent	2,272	15.7	Elected
	Viliami Kaufusi Helu	Independent	2,060	14.3	Elected
	Sione Sangster Saulala	Independent	1,908	13.2
	'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu	Independent	1,772	12.3
	Masao Paasi	Independent	1,490	10.3
	Peauafi Tatafu	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	1,308	9.1
	Sione Sosefo Mailangi	Independent	674	4.7
	Makelesi Funaki	Independent	562	3.9
	Kauhenga Kata	Human Rights and Democracy Movement	560	3.9
	'Alamoti Tautakitaki	Independent	556	3.9
	Sione Finau Lauti	Independent	405	2.8
	Viliami Politoni Sapoi	Independent	188	1.3
	'Aliki Halahekeheke Sika	Independent	152	1.1
	Sione Katalau Veleika	Independent	150	1.0
	Pesa Lau'I	Independent	148	1.0
	Makasini Fonua	Independent	140	1.0
	'Inoke Fotu	Independent	93	0.6
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, 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. The election was won by 'Osai Laatu.