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Election Date: March 17, 2005

At stake: Legislative Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Tonga encompasses more than 170 islands in the South Pacific, which are home to roughly 110,000 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 Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement (THRDM) secured seven of the nine seats at stake in the 2002 ballot.

2005 Legislative Assembly Election

On Jan. 10, a total of 64 candidates registered to contest for the nine available Legislative Assembly seats. In order to run, candidates had to complete a form, provide 50 signatures of registered voters supporting their nomination, and pay a $200 U.S. fee. In the 2002 election, only 52 candidates were registered.

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."

Former police chief Clive Edwards is running for a seat after a highly-publicized rift with Prince Tupouto'a. Edwards claimed in an interview with the Matangi Tonga newspaper that he was forced to leave his post in August 2004, after the prince accused him of plotting a coup. Prince Tupouto'a sent a letter to the publication, claiming Edwards' story was "wholly untrue."

On Mar. 16, the country's 33 hereditary nobles chose nine parliamentarians. Voting for the rest of the population took place without any problems on Mar. 17. Prince Tupouto'a celebrated the large turnout, and hinted at further changes to make the system more democratic, saying, "We have certain constraints to work under, one of which is that nobody really wants to change the constitution."

Final results were released on Mar. 18. The country's democracy advocates secured seven of the nine seats at stake. Two of these elected candidates will become part of the cabinet.

Political Players

King: Taufa'ahau Tupou IV
Prime minister: Prince Lavaka Ata Ulukalala

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 - Mar. 17, 2005
(Only nine seats are elected by the people)

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