General elections were held in Tonga on 17 March 2005. Only nine members of the 30-seat parliament were elected, with the remainder appointed by the King or belonging to the Tongan aristocracy. The Human Rights and Democracy Movement won seven of the nine seats. Prince ʻUlukālala Lavaka Ata, a son of the King, initially retained his position as Prime Minister, but 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
By constituency ConstituencyCandidatePartyVotes%NotesEuaSunia Fili1,31452.5ElectedSefesi Tupou Kanongataʻa Hausia80432.1Finau Sakea Fusituʻa26910.8Sione ʻOfa Vakaʻuta1154.6HaʻapaiʻUliti Uata2,62728.0ElectedFineasi Funaki2,07222.1ElectedʻOsaiasi Latu1,95920.9Moʻale Finau9199.8Sione Talanoa Fifita8589.2Sailosi Vea Fanua7357.8Langilangi Vimahi1982.1NiuasSione Peauafi Haukinima70969.9ElectedʻAisea Taʻofi20420.1ʻOketi Lotulelei ʻAkauʻola605.9Paula Palelei424.1TongatapuʻAkilisi Pōhiva11,10321.8ElectedʻIsileli Pulu8,00815.7ElectedFeleti Sevele7,49914.7ElectedClive Edwards3,5467.0Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku3,1616.0Mateitalo F. Mahuʻinga2,9375.8Lopeti Senituli2,8195.5Semisi Kailahi1,9863.9Simione Kau Silapelu1,5443.0Semisi P I Tapueluelu1,5283.0Mateaki Heimuli1,4002.7ʻAlisi Pone Fotu9521.9Mumui Tatola7191.4Sela Lopa Kaisinga5081.0Kamipeli Tofaʻimalaʻeʻaloa3870.8ʻAlani Fisher Taione3640.7Tupou Malohi3180.6Siosifa Filini Sikuea2570.5Siale Christopher Kava2480.5ʻAisake Faʻalongo Filimone2350.5Salesi Kauvaka2310.5Sione Tuʻiʻonetoa2020.4Hoatatau Tenisi1940.4Penisila Save1780.3Lesinali Tovo Faleafa1650.3Kelepi V. Lamipeti1570.3Semisi Nauto Tuʻapasi ʻAtaʻata1330.3Taholo Lelea Kolovai1280.3Sione Lolo Mataele870.2Vahefonua Vavaʻu Samiu Vaipulu2,27215.7ElectedViliami Kaufusi Helu2,06014.3ElectedSione Sangster Saulala1,90813.2ʻEtuate Sungalu Lavulavu1,77212.3Masao Paasi1,49010.3Peauafi Tatafu1,3089.1Sione Sosefo Mailangi6744.7Makelesi Funaki5623.9Kauhenga Kata5603.9ʻAlamoti Tautakitaki5563.9Sione Finau Lauti4052.8Viliami Politoni Sapoi1881.3ʻAliki Halahekeheke Sika1521.1Sione Katalau Veleika1501.0Pesa Lauʻi1481.0Makasini Fonua1401.0ʻInoke Fotu930.6Source: 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 Haʻapai electorate after Fineasi Funaki was appointed as Minister of Tourism. The election was won by ʻOsai Laatu.
References