2016 Vavaʻu 16 by-election

A by-election was held in the Vavaʻu 16 constituency in Tonga on 14 July 2016. It followed the conviction and unseating of MP ‘Etuate Lavulavu for bribery and campaign overspending, in January.[1][2]

There were four candidates: ‘Akosita Lavulavu (wife of the unseated MP), Viliami Latu (who held the seat as an independent from 2010 to 2014), ‘Atalasa Pouvalu, and ‘Ipeni Siale.[3] The election was won by ‘Etuate Lavulavu's wife ‘Akosita Lavulavu, who thereby became the only female member in Parliament.[4][5]

Result

The results were as follows:[5]

Vavaʻu 16 by-election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent ‘Akosita Lavulavu 754 39.4 % n/a
Independent (politician) Viliami Latu 536 28 % +0.5 %
(unknown) ‘Atalasa Pouvalu 343 17.9 % n/a
(unknown) ‘Ipeni Siale 280 14,7 % -0.8 %
Majority 218 11.4 %
‘Akosita Lavulavu gain from ‘Etuate Lavulavu

2014 result

The result in Vavaʻu 16 in the 2014 general election had been as follows:

Tongan general election, 2014: Vavaʻu 16
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent ‘Etuate Lavulavu 767 33.64 % n/a
Independent Viliami Latu 627 27.50 % -16.2 %
DPFI ‘Ipeni Siale 346 15.18 % n/a
(unknown) Tupoulahi Manuofetoa 212
(unknown) ‘Aisea Siliveinusi 135
(unknown) Viliami Lolohea 106
(unknown) ‘Ikani Taliai 87
Majority 140 6.14 %
‘Etuate Lavulavu gain from Viliami Latu

References

  1. ^ "By-election date set for vacant Tongan seats", Radio New Zealand, 2 February 2016
  2. ^ "By-election for Vavaʻu 16 set for July 14th", Tonga Broadcasting Corporation, 23 May 2016
  3. ^ "Four candidates for Vava’u 16 By-Election", Matangi Tonga, 21 June 2016
  4. ^ "Sole woman MP elected in Tonga", Radio New Zealand, 15 July 2016
  5. ^ a b "'Akosita wins Vava'u 16 By-election, becomes only woman in parliament", Matangi Tonga, 15 July 2016