A by-election to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga will be held in the Tongatapu 2 constituency on 8 October 2026. The by-election was triggered after the previous representative, Sēmisi Sika, was removed from parliament following his conviction for exceeding campaign expenditure limits during the 2025 general election.
Background
Former Deputy Prime Minister Sēmisi Sika reclaimed the seat during the 2025 general election, having lost in 2021. He received 55% of the vote, defeating the incumbent member, Education Minister ʻUhilamoelangi Fasi, who garnered 44%. The election resulted in independents winning all seats, with the once dominant Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, of which Sika was formerly affiliated, failing to capture any seats. Parliament subsequently elected Fatafehi Fakafānua as prime minister, who appointed Sika as minister of infrastructure and tourism. Fasi filed a lawsuit after the election, alleging that Sika had exceeded the 20,000 paʻanga campaign spending limit in breach of the Electoral Act. The Supreme Court convicted Sika, he went on to unsuccessfully appeal the ruling. As a result, Sika was removed from parliament on 3 August, triggering a by-election in the constituency. King Tupou VI issued the election writ on 7 August, scheduling the poll for 8 October, the same day as the Niua 17 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 Tongatapu 2 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 and campaign
The period for contestants to formally register their candidates took place from 2 to 3 September. Former member Fasi reportedly emerged as the favourite; however, he did not register his candidacy. The reasons for his absence from the ballot were reportedly unclear. Nine individuals registered their candidacies, an increase from only two parliamentary hopefuls in 2025. All contestants ran as independents. Among the contestants was political scientist Malakai Koloamatangi, the registrar of Tonga National University, Alivin Sika, the younger brother of Sēmisi Sika and ‘Illaisa Lepolo Taunisila, who previously represented the former Niuas constituency. Three individuals announced their intentions to run but ultimately withdrew before the nomination period. One of whom, Ringo Faʻoliu, said he did not meet the requirements to qualify, while Soane Patita Fifita and Attorney Sione Fonua dropped out to endorse Koloamatangi. Strengthening the country's democratic reforms, which Koloamatangi regarded as incomplete, was a key issue in his campaign and motivated Fonua to support his candidacy.
Results
References