2005 Tongan general election

A General election was held in Tonga on 17 March 2005. Only nine members of the 30-seat parliament are elected, the rest appointed by the King or are members of the Tongan aristocracy. The Human Rights and Democracy Movement won seven of the nine seats. 'Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho, son of the King, initially retained his position as Prime Minister, but he 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

Electorate Results

All electorate results from http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/t/tonga/tonga2005.txt.

Tongan general election, 2005: Eua (1 member)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	HRDM	Sunia Fili	1314	52.5
	Independent	Sefesi Tupou Kanongata'a Hausia	804	32.1
	Independent	Finau Sakea Fusitu'a	269	10.8
	Independent	Sione 'Ofa Vaka'uta	115	4.6
Turnout			2502

Tongan general election, 2005: Ha'apai (2 members)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	HRDM	'Uliti Uata	2627	28.0
	HRDM	Fineasi Funaki	2072	22.1
	Independent	'Osaiasi Latu	1959	20.9
	Independent	Mo’ale Finau	919	9.8
	Independent	Sione Talanoa Fifita	858	9.2
	Independent	Sailosi Vea Fanua	735	7.8
	Independent	Langilangi Vimahi	198	2.1
Turnout			9368

Tongan general election, 2005: Niuas (1 member)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	HRDM	Sione Peauafi Haukinima	709	69.9
	Independent	'Aisea Ta’ofi	204	20.1
	Independent	'Oketi Lotulelei 'Akau'ola	60	5.9
	Independent	Paula Palelei	42	4.1
Turnout			1015

Tongan general election, 2005: Tongatapu (3 members)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	HRDM	'Akilisi Pohiva	11103	21.8
	HRDM	'Isileli Pulu	8008	15.7
	HRDM	Feleti Sevele	7499	14.7
	Independent	Clive Edwards	3546	7.0
	Independent	Fuiva Ruby Adeline Kavaliku	3161	6.0
	Independent	Mateitalo F. Mahu'inga	2937	5.8
	Independent	Lopeti Senituli	2819	5.5
	Independent	Semisi Kailahi	1986	3.9
	Independent	Simione Kau Silapelu	1544	3.0
	Independent	Semisi P I Tapueluelu	1528	3.0
	Independent	Mateaki Heimuli	1400	2.7
	Independent	'Alisi Pone Fotu	952	1.9
	Independent	Mumui Tatola	719	1.4
	Independent	Sela Lopa Kaisinga	508	1.0
	Independent	Kamipeli Tofa'imala'e'aloa	387	0.8
	Independent	'Alani Fisher Taione	364	0.7
	Independent	Tupou Malohi	318	0.6
	Independent	Siosifa Filini Sikuea	257	0.5
	Independent	Siale Christopher Kava	248	0.5
	Independent	'Aisake Fa'alongo Filimone	235	0.5
	Independent	Salesi Kauvaka	231	0.5
	Independent	Sione Tu'i'onetoa	202	0.4
	Independent	Hoatatau Tenisi	194	0.4
	Independent	Penisila Save	178	0.3
	Independent	Lesinali Tovo Faleafa	165	0.3
	Independent	Kelepi V. Lamipeti	157	0.3
	Independent	Semisi Nauto Tu'apasi 'Ata'ata	133	0.3
	Independent	Taholo Lelea Kolovai	128	0.3
	Independent	Sione Lolo Mataele	87	0.2
Turnout			50994

Tongan general election, 2005: Vahefonua Vava'u (2 members)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Samiu Vaipulu	2272	15.7
	Independent	Viliami Kaufusi Helu	2060	14.3
	Independent	Sione Sangster Saulala	1908	13.2
	Independent	'Etuate Sungalu Lavulavu	1772	12.3
	Independent	Masao Paasi	1490	10.3
	HRDM	Peauafi Tatafu	1308	9.1
	Independent	Sione Sosefo Mailangi	674	4.7
	Independent	Makelesi Funaki	562	3.9
	HRDM	Kauhenga Kata	560	3.9
	Independent	'Alamoti Tautakitaki	559	3.9
	Independent	Sione Finau Lauti	405	2.8
	Independent	Viliami Politoni Sapoi	188	1.3
	Independent	'Aliki Halahekeheke Sika	152	1.1
	Independent	Sione Katalau Veleika	150	1.0
	Independent	Pesa Lau'I	148	1.0
	Independent	Makasini Fonua	140	1.0
	Independent	'Inoke Fotu	93	0.6
Turnout			14438

By-election were subsequently held on May 5, 2005 to fill vacancies in Tongatapu and Niuas following the appointment of Feleti Sevele and Sione Haukinima to 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 Ha'apai electorate after Fineasi Funaki was appointed as Minister of Tourism. The election was won by 'Osai Laatu.