2010 Tongan general election

{{Politics of Tonga}}

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,{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53031 |title=Tonga Parliament enacts political reforms |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=15 April 2010 |accessdate=21 April 2010}} with ten seats for Tongatapu, three for Vavaʻu, two for Haʻapai and one each for Niuas and ʻEua.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53112 |title=Tonga parliament votes on amended boundaries |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=20 April 2010 |accessdate=21 April 2010}} 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%).{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53125 |title=Tonga's pro-democracy movement hails assembly reform |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=21 April 2010 |accessdate=22 April 2010}}{{Cite news|author=Dorney, Sean|title=Tonga prepares for historic poll|url=http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201011/3075671.htm?desktop|newspaper=Australia Network News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=24 November 2010|accessdate=24 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314103838/http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201011/3075671.htm?desktop|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite news|author=Agence France-Presse|title=No clear winner in Tonga's first election|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/no-clear-winner-in-tongas-first-election-20101126-189ln.html|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 November 2010|accessdate=26 November 2010}} The changes have been fully supported by the king.{{Cite news|author=Hill, Bruce|title=Tongan monarch voices support for elections|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/22/3073179.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124065303/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/22/3073179.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2010|publisher=Radio Australia; Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=22 November 2010|accessdate=25 November 2010}} 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".

Tonga is a very traditional society, and the role of the monarchy is extremely important.{{Cite web|author=Hill, Bruce|title=Tongan monarch gives electoral changes his full backing|url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201011/s3072603.htm|date=25 November 2010|publisher=Radio Australia|accessdate=25 November 2010}}

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:

{{Blockquote|"Officially, the sovereign's powers remain unchanged, because we are a monarchy, we have a unity of power as opposed to a separation of power. The difference in future is that I shall not be able to exercise any of my powers at will, but all the sovereign's powers must be exercised solely on the advice of the Prime Minister in most things, and in traditional matters the law lords who advise exercise of power. In that case, I suppose we are different from other nominal monarchies which retain the trappings of monarchy, but actually govern themselves as republics."|King George Tupou V}}

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.{{Cite news|title=Tonga's people vote in droves for change|publisher=TV New Zealand|date=26 November 2010}}

Voter registration closed on 31 August, with approximately 42,000 voters registering.{{cite web |title=Registration closes with over 40,000 Tongan voters |url=http://matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20100903_tonga_voters_register.shtml |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=3 September 2010 |accessdate=4 September 2010 }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193408/huge-numbers-failed-to-register-for-tonga-election,-says-woman-advocate |title=Huge numbers failed to register for Tonga election, says woman advocate |publisher=RNZ |date=1 November 2010 |access-date=28 June 2023}}

Candidates were registered on 21 and 22 October, with 147 candidates contesting the 17 constituencies.{{cite web |url=http://matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20101022_tonga_candidates_registration.shtml |title=147 candidates for November Election |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=22 October 2010 |accessdate=23 October 2010 }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193294/ten-women-contesting-tonga-poll |title=Ten women contesting Tonga poll |publisher=RNZ |date=25 October 2010 |access-date=28 June 2023}} Only three of the incumbent Cabinet contested the elections.{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/193304/tonga-health-minister-standing-in-elections-to-ensure-continuity |title=Tonga health minister standing in elections to ensure continuity |publisher=RNZ |date=25 October 2010 |access-date=28 June 2023}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20100903_tonga_candidates.shtml |title=Parliamentary candidates to register in October |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=3 September 2010 |accessdate=4 September 2010 }}

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".{{Cite news|author=The Associated Press|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/tongans-vote-for-majority-of-parliamentarians-1.578854 |title=Tongans vote for majority of parliamentarians|newspaper=CTV News|publisher=CTV Globe Media|date=25 November 2010|accessdate=25 November 2010}} 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."{{Cite news|title=Tonga Democrats 'leading' in polls|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/11/201011252111273100.html|date=25 November 2010|newspaper=Al Jazeera|accessdate=25 November 2010}}

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.[http://mic.gov.to/press-releases/1878-preparing-for-electtions-of-electoral-district-representatives-of-nobles.html "Nobles prepare for Elections of district electoral representatives"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422182301/http://mic.gov.to/press-releases/1878-preparing-for-electtions-of-electoral-district-representatives-of-nobles.html |date=22 April 2012 }}, Tongan Ministry of Information, 17 November 2010[http://www.mic.gov.to/people/nobles- "Nobles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206190345/http://www.mic.gov.to/people/nobles- |date=6 February 2012 }}, government of Tonga

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,{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/193924/pro-democracy-party-in-tonga-big-winner-in-general-elections |title=Pro-democracy party in Tonga big winner in general elections |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=26 November 2010 |accessdate=29 December 2020}}.{{cite web |url=http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/t/tonga/tonga2010.txt |title=KINGDOM OF TONGA LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF 25 NOVEMBER 2010 |publisher=Adam Carr |date= |accessdate=29 December 2020}} 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.{{Cite news|author=Agence France-Presse|title=Tonga set for landmark vote|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/tonga-set-for-landmark-vote-20101123-185ea.html|date=24 November 2010|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=24 November 2010}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/parliament/20101221_tonga_new_prime_minister_designate.shtml|title=Tu'ivakano becomes Prime Minister Designate|date=21 January 2012|access-date=20 December 2010|archive-date=30 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130071216/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/parliament/20101221_tonga_new_prime_minister_designate.shtml|url-status=dead}}

{{Election results

|image=File:Tonga Assemblée législative 2010.svg

|party1=Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands|votes1=10953|seats1=12|sc1=New

|party2=People's Democratic Party|votes2=934|seats2=0|sc2=–2

|party3=Sustainable Nation-Building Party|votes3=519|seats3=0|sc3=New

|party4=Tongan Democratic Labor Party|votes4=168|seats4=0|sc4=New

|party5=Independents|votes5=25873|seats5=5|sc5=+2

|row6=Nobles' representatives|seats6=9|sc6=0

|invalid=66

|electorate=42395

|total_sc=–4

|source=[https://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/1574/ IFES]

}}

The nobles' representatives are:{{cite web |url=https://matangitonga.to/2010/11/25/vaea-and-tuilakepa-enter-house-nobles-seats |title=Vaea and Tu'ilakepa to enter House in Nobles seats |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=25 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322004852/https://matangitonga.to/2010/11/25/vaea-and-tuilakepa-enter-house-nobles-seats |archive-date=22 March 2012}}

{{Election box begin no party| title=Tongan general election, 2010: Tongatapu (3 members)}}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Tu'ivakano

|votes = 13

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Ma'afu

|votes = 10

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Vaea

|votes = 8

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party| title=Tongan general election, 2010: Vavaʻu (2 members)}}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Tu'ilakepa

|votes = 4

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Tu'i'afitu

|votes = 4

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party| title=Tongan general election, 2010: ʻEua (1 member)}}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Lasike

|votes = 6

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party| title=Tongan general election, 2010: Niuas (1 member)}}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Fusitu'a

|votes = 1

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party| title=Tongan general election, 2010: Haʻapai (2 members)}}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Tu'iha'teiho

|votes = 4

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box candidate no party|

|candidate = Lord Fakafanua

|votes = 4

|percentage =

|change = }}

{{Election box end}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57281 |title=Tonga election winners plan to co-opt two independents |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |accessdate=27 November 2010}} Following concerns the noble representatives would support one of the independents for Prime Minister,{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57398 |title=Two main camps emerge in talks over formation of new Tonga government |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=1 December 2010 |accessdate=2 December 2010}} the DPFI decided to hold a public rally to build public support.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57429 |title=Tonga Democratic Party to hold rally amid post-election lobbying |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2 December 2010 |accessdate=2 December 2010}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/government/20101202_tonga_new_government.shtml |title=Prime Minister for Christmas or New Year |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=2 December 2010 |accessdate=2 December 2010}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/government/20101203_tonga_lord_tupou.shtml |title=King appoints Lord Tupou as Interim Speaker |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=3 December 2010 |accessdate=3 December 2010}}

The three MPs from Vava'u are considered to be pro-monarchy.{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201012/3092366.htm?desktop |title=Election of Tongan PM delayed |publisher=Radio Australia News |date=14 December 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303202922/http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201012/3092366.htm?desktop |archive-date=3 March 2012}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57565 |title=Nobles now more likely to form next Tonga government |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=8 December 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}} He joined a bloc of 15 members, including all nine noble representatives and five other people's representatives, to jointly nominate a Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20101208_tonga_pm_nomination.shtml |title=15 members form bloc to nominate PM |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=8 December 2010 |accessdate=9 December 2010}}

The DPFI rejected these claims and stated it still expects to form the government.{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57590 |title=Tonga's Democrats confident they'll govern despite rival's claim of numbers |date=9 December 2010 |work=Radio New Zealand International |accessdate=23 November 2011}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57685 |title=New majority claim by Tonga Democrats |date=15 December 2010 |work=Radio New Zealand International |accessdate=23 November 2011}}

On 20 December 2010 Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva and Siale'ataonga Tu'ivakano were nominated for Prime Minister.{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/parliament/20101220_tonga_pm_nominees.shtml |title=Two names for Prime Minister before Legislature today |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=20 December 2010 |accessdate=20 December 2010}} The election was postponed to 21 December 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57773 |title=Day's delay before Tonga's MPs select new prime minister |date=20 December 2010 |work=Radio New Zealand International |accessdate=23 November 2011}} Tu'ivakano was elected by 14 votes to 12.{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/parliament/20101221_tonga_new_prime_minister_designate.shtml |title=Tu'ivakano becomes Prime Minister Designate |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=21 December 2010 |accessdate=21 December 2010 |archive-date=30 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130071216/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/parliament/20101221_tonga_new_prime_minister_designate.shtml |url-status=dead }}

On 31 December Tu'ivakano named his cabinet, which included six people's representatives, three nobles, and two commoners appointed from outside Parliament.{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=57961 |title=Tonga's prime minister names his cabinet |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=31 December 2010 |accessdate=31 December 2010}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165545/http://matangitonga.to/home/download/Ballot_paper_position.pdf Full candidate list]

{{Tongan elections}}

Tonga

Category:Elections in Tonga

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