PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

LESS THAN HALF TONGA VOTERS WENT TO POLLS
48 percent of registered voters decided elections

NUKUALOFA, Tonga (Matangi Tonga, April 28, 2008) – The results of Tonga’s 2008 General Election were decided by half of the people who are registered to vote when 32,000 Tongans turned out to vote on Thursday, April 24.

This is less than half of the 68,000 registered voters, and in Tongatapu down on the numbers who turned out in 2005.

Tonga's Electoral Officer Pita Vuki confirmed today that nationally 48% of voters turned out to vote on Election Day April 24.

"The most important thing is the results of the election and those who participated in the voting got the results they voted for," said Pita.

Vava'u voters were the most enthusiastic with a 72.58% turnout with 7,258 voters, out of 10,000 registered voters.

While in Tongatapu 16,796 (56%) turned out to cast their votes out of the estimated 30,000 voters who registered. This number was 464 down on the 17,260 who turned out for the previous general election in 2005.

There was a low turnout in the other islands combined with 4,305 voters in Ha’apai, the remaining 3,600 voters were divided between 'Eua and the two Niuas.

Pita said after visiting the various polling stations throughout Tongatapu on Election Day everything went smoothly.

No date has been set for the opening of the 2008 Session of the Tongan Legislative Assembly but it usually opens either in the last week of May or the first week of June.

The results charted for the various polling stations throughout Tonga were confirmed by the Electoral Officer today, see:

Results, 2008 Tonga Parliamentary General Election

Matangi Tonga Magazine: www.matangitonga.to/home/

Copyright © 2005Matangi Tonga. All Rights Reserved

ONE NEW FACE IN TONGA GENERAL ELECTIONS
Niua elects newcomer to Tonga politics

NUKU΄ALOFA, Tonga (Radio Tonga News, April 28, 2008) - The General Elections has seen the re-election of most of the People’s Representatives and three new members of Parliament.

The three are No.1 People’s Representative from Vava’u - ‘Etuate Lavulavu with 2,116 votes, No.2 People’s Representative with 2,116 votes, from Ha’apai Teisina Fuko with 1,404 votes, and the People’s Representative from the Niua’s Sione Feingatau ‘Iloa with 476 votes.

This is the first time for Sione Feingatau ‘Iloa as a Parlimentarian, coming in as the people’s representative from the two most northern Tongan islands. Lavulavu and Fuko have both had terms as members of parliament in past elections.

The three people’s representatives that were not re-elected and were replaced by the three new members included Vili Kaufusi (former No.2 people’s representative from Vava’u), ‘Osai Latu (former No.2 people’s representative from Ha’apai) and Lepolo Taunisila (former people’s representative from the two Niuas).

From Vava’u, Samiu Vaipulu was re-elected and takes the No.2 people’s representatives spot with 1,896 votes. From ‘Eua, Sunia Fili was re-elected with 861 votes, and from Ha’apai ‘Uliti Uata remained as the No.1 people’s representatives with 2,555 votes. This year’s general elections - widely dubbed as the key elections leading up to the political reform process of 2010 - also saw the re-election of the three key people’s representatives of Tongatapu - No.1 ‘Akilisi Pohiva with a landslide of 11,290 votes, No.2 ‘Isileli Pulu with 7,480 votes, and No.3 Clive Edwards with 4,083 votes.

Tonga Broadcasting Commission
Copyright © Tonga-broadcasting.com

NAURU – PARLIAMENT: PACNEWS                                                       PACNEWS 2: Tues 29 April 2008 

Nauru Government rules with 12 seats in the 18-seat parliament. 

29 APRIL 2008 YAREN (Pacnews) ------ The Nauru parliament finally got down to business today with the government of Marcus Stephen claiming  twelve of the eighteen seats in the chamber.

All three newly elected members who replaced the opposition members who lost their seats in last Saturday’s general election, have joined the government ranks.

Riddell Akua, the former Speaker who resigned just over a month ago to thwart a vote of no confidence in the government, was re-elected to the position today.

For Marcus Stephen, it was the first opportunity to address the chamber since being elected president late last year. The tactics of the previous speaker, David Adeang and his opposition colleagues, have prevented any orderly sitting of the parliament until now.

“I thank my colleagues for the confidence they have bestowed upon me. And I also thank the people (of Nauru) for they have spoken through the results of the general election,” the president said.

President Stephen said he was looking forward to proceeding with government business, which has been held up for the past five months.

The parliament was recessed shortly after to enable the President to form his cabinet. However, there is not likely to be any change to the six cabinet positions, with all ministers resuming in the portfolios they held before the election.

Nauru’s foreign affairs and finance minister, Dr. Kieren Keke was expected to also resume his position as vice president…..PNS (ENDS) 

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i