Tongan general election, 2008
Encyclopedia
Parliamentary elections were held in Tonga
on April 23 and 24, 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly
. The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April. A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.
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. Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition
over the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots
Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.
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.
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 May 5 to 9 at the Office of the Governor of Vava’u. Latu lose the recount on May 14 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.
would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts, and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage. The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand
's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne
, commented that it was "unfortunate". Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech
, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe
, a comparison rejected by the TBC. 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, and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs. 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".
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
on April 23 and 24, 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Tonga
The Legislative Assembly of Tonga has 30 members, 9 members elected for a three year term in multi-seat constituencies via the single non-transferable vote system, 9 members elected for a three year term by the 33 hereditary nobles of Tonga, 10 members of the Privy Council and 2 governors. The...
. The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April. A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.
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. Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition
Sedition
In law, sedition is overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority to tend toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent to lawful authority. Sedition may include any...
over the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots
2006 Nuku'alofa riots
The 2006 Nukualofa riots started on 16 November, in the Tongan capital of Nukualofa. The Legislative Assembly of Tonga was due to adjourn for the year and despite promises of action, had done little to advance democracy in the government. A mixed crowd of democracy advocates took to the streets in...
Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.
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.
Viliami Uasike Latu
Viliami Latu
Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu is a Tongan politician.After completing secondary education at Tonga High School, he became a high school teacher at the Mailefihi & Siuʻilikutapu College in 1991...
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 May 5 to 9 at the Office of the Governor of Vava’u. Latu lose the recount on May 14 after an increase to the other candidate, Samiu Kuita Vaipulu
Samiu Vaipulu
Samiu Kuita Vaipulu is Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga. He is member of the Tongan Parliament for the island of Vava'u.-Personal life:...
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.
Controversy
About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting CommissionTonga Broadcasting Commission
Tonga Broadcasting Commission is the first and largest broadcasting station in Tonga, solely owned by the government of Tonga. It operates two free-to-air TV channels , one AM commercial radio channel , one FM commercial radio channel , and a 24-hour Radio Australia relay channel...
would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts, and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage. The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne
Peter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
, commented that it was "unfortunate". Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, a comparison rejected by the TBC. 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, and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs. 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".
People's Representatives
From Matangi TongaNobles' representatives
Nine nobles were elected by the 29 eligible members of the nobility on April 23. 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.External links
- "Tongans confused and undecided on eve of 2008 General Election", Mary Lyn Fonue, Matangi TongaMatangi TongaMatangi Tonga is an online newspaper providing Tongan news in both English and Tongan. It is operated by Vava'u Press. The newspaper's Nukualofa office was destroyed in the fires and rioting in November 2006....
, April 23, 2008 - "Results, 2008 Tonga Parliamentary General Election" Matangi TongaMatangi TongaMatangi Tonga is an online newspaper providing Tongan news in both English and Tongan. It is operated by Vava'u Press. The newspaper's Nukualofa office was destroyed in the fires and rioting in November 2006....
, April 25, 2008 - "Noble Fielakepa and Noble Ma'afu elected into Parliament", Tonga Review, April 23, 2008