A by-election to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga will be held in the Niua 17 constituency on 8 October 2026. The by-election was triggered after the previous representative, Lataifaingataʻa Tangimana, resigned from parliament following his conviction for election bribery.
Background
During the 2025 general election, Lataifaingataʻa Tangimana won the seat in a landslide, with 64% of the vote. He defeated three other candidates, including the incumbent representative, Vatau Hui, who only received 7%. The election produced a parliament composed entirely of independents, with the once dominant Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands failing to capture any seats. The legislature subsequently elected Fatafehi Fakafānua as prime minister, who appointed Tangimana as finance minister. The courts found Tangimana guilty of election bribery on 24 March 2026, and he subsequently resigned from cabinet. He launched an unsuccessful appeal against the conviction and thereafter resigned from parliament, triggering a by-election in the seat. King Tupou VI issued the election writ on 7 August, scheduling the poll for 8 October, the same day as the Tongatapu 2 by-election.
Electoral system
Elections to all 17 Legislative Assembly seats elected by commoners are conducted using the first-past-the-post electoral system. Candidates and voters are required to hold Tongan citizenship, be at least 21 years old, be able to read and write in the Tongan language and not have a mental disability. Contestants also need to reside in the Niua 17 constituency for at least three months before the election, obtain no fewer than 50 signatures from eligible electors, and undergo legal clearance to qualify. As Tonga does not employ overseas voting, all eligible electors must be in the country to cast a ballot.
Candidates
Candidates had from 2 to 3 September to formally register their candidacies. Five individuals qualified to contest the election: Sitīveni Selui and ʻAisake Hoatatau Finau of Vaipoa, Sione Tuifio Hui and ‘Aminiasi Tangimana of Falehau, and Paea Filimoehala of Esia village. Finau previously contested the seat in 2025. All candidates ran as independents.
Results
References