Election Date: April 24, 2008

Abstract: At stake: Legislative Assembly

At stake: Legislative Assembly

Background

Tonga encompasses more than 170 islands in the South Pacific, which are home to roughly 116,000 inhabitants. The area became a constitutional monarchy in 1875, and was established as a British protected state—but not formally colonized—in 1900. In 1970, Tonga became an independent state within the British Commonwealth.

To this day, the country is the last monarchy in the Pacific. Only nine of the 30 seats in the legislative branch are chosen through the ballot box. In 2000, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV appointed his youngest son—Lavaka Ata Ulukalala—as prime minister for life.

The Tongan economy relies mainly on agricultural exports and tourism. The country is however a heavy food importer, and its main trader is New Zealand. Tonga and New Zealand have strong cultural, historic, and economic ties. Many Tongan political leaders are educated in New Zealand.

Tonga’s infrastructure and development projects are generally in good state. Inflation is a constant preoccupation for the country’s political leaders.

The Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement (THRDM) secured seven of the nine seats at stake in the 2002 ballot.

In 2002, the King sued his jester, American Jesse Bogdonoff, for allegedly spending close to $26 million U.S. of Tonga’s money in irresponsible investments. Bogdonoff agreed to pay $1 million U.S. in a settlement in 2004.

In November 2004, the King announced his decision to select four cabinet ministers from the members elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2005, including two commoners. Pro-democracy campaigner Lopeti Senituli called the King’s rationale "revolutionary."

In the 2005 ballot, a total of 64 candidates registered to contest for the nine available Legislative Assembly seats. Final results gave the country’s democracy advocates seven of the nine seats at stake. Two of these elected candidates then became part of the cabinet.

Click Here for Tonga’s 2005 Legislative Assembly Election Tracker 

2005 proved to be a challenging year for Togans, as 3,000 civil servants went on strike, demanding better pay. Throughout the year, discontent with economic and social inequities intensified throughout the kingdom. The King tightened his grip on the country’s media, prompting criticism at home and abroad.

In February 2006, Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata stepped down as prime minister. In March, Feleti Sevele, a pro-democracy leader, became the first elected commoner to serve as the country’s prime minister.

In July 2006, Prince Tu’ipelehake and his wife were killed along with their driver in San Francisco, California, when their car was hit by a driver participating in a street race. The driver was eventually sentenced to two years in a county jail.

In August 2006, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV died and was replaced by his son, George Tupou V.

In November, the capital city of Nuku’alofa saw its streets invaded by rioters demanding legislators to introduce democratic reforms. Pro-democracy activists burned and looted shops, offices, and government buildings. More than half of the downtown area was destroyed, and at least six people died.

A week after the riots, the King promised to lead a more democratic government. Legislators approved a set of reforms stating that the majority of positions in the country’s government would be for elected representatives rather than hereditary noblemen or those directly appointed by the king.

2008 Legislative Assembly Election

The Kingdom will elect nine People’s Representatives on Apr. 24. Democratic reforms were supposed to be implemented in the upcoming election. However, on Jan. 19, Tongan prime minister Feleti Sevele announced that the reforms would have to wait until 2010.

On Feb. 25, the government announced that, starting in January 2009, only citizens who work in the private sector will be allowed to hold directorate positions in the boards of Tonga’s public enterprises. The prime minister, cabinet ministers and civil servants who are directors on state-owned companies will leave their posts by the end of 2008 and be replaced with candidates coming from the private sector who are currently under training.

Public enterprise minister ‘Afu’alo Matoto explained: "Our objective is to improve the financial and economic performance of the public enterprise boards in making a positive contribution to government and to the country as a whole. And I see this is a part of developing the Private Sector because what happens in these public bodies has spill-over effect on the sector."

On Feb. 26, Linda Folaumoetu’i, Tonga’s solicitor general, announced the creation of the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ICAC) before the end of 2008. The ICAC—which will be set-up with financial help from the Australian government—will have extensive powers to investigate suspected corruption and prosecute civil servants of wrongdoing. In 2007, the corruption watchdog Transparency International named Tonga as the sixth most corrupt country in the world.

Voting took place on Apr. 24. Final results gave the Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement (THRDM) four of the nine elected seats. Pro-democracy campaigner Akilisi Pohiva declared: “The result sends a clear signal that voters want representatives with a track record of campaigning for political change.”

Turnout was tabled at 48 per cent.

Political Players

King: George Tupou V
Prime minister: Feleti Sevele

The prime minister is appointed for life by the monarch.

Legislative Branch: The Fale Alea / Legislative Assembly has 30 members; nine members are elected to a three-year term in multi-seat constituencies, and nine members are elected to three-year term by the country’s 33 hereditary nobles. Twelve seats are reserved for ex-officio members; 10 for cabinet ministers and two for the appointed governors of Ha’apai and Vava’u.

Results of Last Election:

Legislative Assembly - Apr. 24, 2008

(Only nine seats are elected by the people)

	Vote%	Seats
Independents	59.39%	4
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement (THRDM)	28.36%	4
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)	8.67%	1
Sustainable Nation-Building Party (PLT)	3.58%	--
Members elected by the nobles	--	9
Cabinet ministers	--	10
Governors	--	2

 

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