2008_Tongan_general_election

2008 Tongan general election

2008 Tongan general election

General election held in Tonga

General elections were held in Tonga on 23 and 24 April 2008 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly.[1] The nobles were elected on 23 April, and the nine people's representatives on 24 April.[2] A total of 32,000 people turned out to vote, giving a turnout of 48%.[3]

Quick Facts Party, Leader ...

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.[4] Most of the pro-democracy MPs were returned, despite several facing charges of sedition over the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots.[5] Reportedly, all nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.[6]

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.[7]

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 5 to 9 May at the Office of the Governor of Vava’u,[8] and confirmed the original result.[9]

Controversy

About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts,[10] and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters, allegedly because they lacked the necessary training for objective coverage.[11] The decision was criticised by the Pacific Islands News Association, and New Zealand's Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, commented that it was "unfortunate".[12] Tonga Review said that the decision was a restriction on freedom of speech, and compared Tonga with Zimbabwe,[13] a comparison rejected by the TBC.[14] 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,[15] and to hamper the re-election chances of pro-democracy MPs.[16] 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".[17]

Results

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By constituency

People's Representatives

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Nobles' representatives

Nine nobles were elected by the 29 eligible members of the nobility on 23 April. 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.[18]

More information Constituency, Candidate ...

References

  1. [1]
    Electoral Calendar- world elections,US elections,presidential election,world parties
  2. [2]
    Tonga to hold general elections in April - People's Daily Online
  3. [3]
    "48% turnout for 2008 General Election" Archived 27 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, 28 April 2008
  4. [4]
    Tonga to hold general election on 24 April - People's Daily Online
  5. [5]
    Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga - Radio New Zealand Archived 7 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 25 April 2008
  6. [6]
    "Tongans elect pro-democracy MPs". BBC News. 25 April 2008.
  7. [7]
    Tonga heads to polls, but more slowly toward greater democracy Archived 24 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. [8]
    "Tonga election recount of Vava'u result next week". Radio New Zealand. 2 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  9. [9]
    "Two Tonga People's Reps election results in Vava'u confirmed by recount". RNZ. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  10. [10]
    "TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election" Archived 11 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Matangi Tonga, 11 April 2008
  11. [11]
    "Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region", ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008
  12. [12]
    "Tonga pressured over media restrictions". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  13. [13]
    "Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tonga Review, 7 April 2008
  14. [14]
    "TBC Boss Responds to Tonga Review Article" Archived 12 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Tonga Review, 10 April 2008
  15. [15]
    "Veteran Tonga politician says government's latest move is to stop criticism". Radio New Zealand International. 9 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  16. [16]
    "State Broadcaster restrictions slammed by Tonga People's Rep". Radio New Zealand International. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  17. [17]
    "Restrictions on state broadcasting likely to impact on Tonga election, says journalist". Radio New Zealand International. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  18. [18]
    "TUIHAANGANA LOSES SEAT IN TONGA NOBLES RACE". Pacific Islands Report. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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